5 Everyday Habits That Protect Your Hearing Health

You already know hearing health is part of whole-body wellness. But what comes next? 

Just like brushing your teeth daily can help protect your mouth, small daily habits can make a lasting difference for your ears. The good news is that protecting your hearing doesn’t require major lifestyle changes, just a few intentional habits that support your ears for life. 

1. Turn Down the Volume 

If you regularly use earbuds or headphones, remember the 60/60 rule: listen at no more than 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time. After an hour, give your ears a five-to-ten-minute break to recover. 

Many devices can reach over 100 decibels at full volume. That’s loud enough to cause damage in just minutes. If you often use earbuds to tune out background noise, consider switching to noise-canceling headphones, which allow you to listen at a lower, safer level. 

Your ears don’t get “used to” loud sounds. They get damaged by them. By making small changes now, you can protect the delicate hair cells in your inner ear that make hearing possible. 

2. Give Your Ears a Break 

Your ears need to rest just like your body needs to recover after a workout. Many people don’t realize that everyday noise exposure can tire and fatigue your ears. Prolonged exposure to noise, whether from traffic, power tools, concerts, or even busy restaurants, can fatigue your hearing. 

A good rule of thumb to use to recognize if your ears need a break, is if you need to raise your voice to talk to someone beside you, your surroundings are likely too loud. Step outside and lower the volume to give your ears relief. 

Short breaks from noise make a difference. Try building “quiet minutes” into your day: drive with the radio off, enjoy a silent walk, or sit in a peaceful space to let your hearing recover. 

3. Protect Your Hearing at Work and Play 

Loud noises are not just limited to concerts or construction sites. Everyday activities like mowing the lawn, using a leaf blower, or attending a sporting event can easily reach unsafe sound levels. 

Ear protection is your best defense. Foam earplugs from a drugstore are better than nothing, but for comfort and reliability, custom earplugs made by an audiologist offer a secure fit and lasting protection. HEAR Wisconsin’s Audiology Clinic can even create custom earplugs designed specifically for musicians, hunters, or frequent travelers. 

Protecting your hearing doesn’t have to interfere with fun. It’s about making smart choices so you can continue enjoying the sounds you love and lower your risk of experiencing hearing loss. 

4. Keep Your Ears Clean 

Earwax often gets a bad reputation, but it’s actually essential. It protects your ears by trapping dust and debris and keeping the ear canal lubricated. Most of the time, earwax naturally moves out of the ear on its own. 

So, you can skip the cotton swabs. Using cotton swabs only pushes wax deeper into your ear canal, causing irritation and can even damage your eardrum. Instead, wipe only the outer ear with a warm, damp washcloth. If your ears feel blocked or uncomfortable, you can try using over-the-counter earwax softening drops (available at most pharmacies) to help the wax work its way out naturally. Avoid inserting objects or attempting to flush your ears at home. 

5. Stay Alert to Subtle Changes 

Hearing loss often develops gradually, so it can be easy to miss early signs. If you notice any of the following issues, then it may be time for a hearing check: 

• Conversations sound muffled or unclear 

• Family members comment about your TV or phone being too loud, or 

• You find group conversations exhausting or hard to follow 

Even if you’re not noticing any changes, a hearing exam is helpful to establish a baseline. That way, if subtle changes do occur over time, they can be caught and addressed early on before they start impacting relationships, work performance, or safety. Treating hearing loss early keeps your brain engaged with sound, which supports memory, communication, and overall cognitive function. If your vision started to get blurry, you wouldn’t wait to get your eyes checked. Treat your hearing the same way. 

Bonus Tip: Protect Your Whole-Body Wellness 

Untreated hearing loss affects more than just your ears. Studies show it can contribute to increased risks of balance problems, cognitive decline, and social isolation. Taking preventive steps now helps your brain stay sharp and your connections strong. 

When your hearing is healthy, you stay confident, independent, and engaged in the world around you. 

Make Hearing Wellness a Habit 

HEAR Wisconsin’s Doctors of Audiology offer comprehensive hearing exams, custom hearing protection, and assistive technology solutions for every lifestyle. Whether you’re protecting your hearing or ready to address early changes, our team is here to help. 

Call 414-604-7219 or visit hearwi.org/audiology to schedule your hearing wellness appointment today.