Stick to these resolutions to ensure a safe and happy New Year.
After the boisterous good times of the holidays wind down, it’s time to start thinking about making New Year’s resolutions. If you’re interested in making some health-related resolutions for 2022, don’t forget to include your hearing health!
Here are some hearing health resolutions you can implement at any time.
Always be prepared
Keep a few sets of quality earplugs in your bag, purse, or car so you’re prepared to protect your hearing at any time or place. You may even consider keeping a decibel measuring device handy, so you can feel comfortable attending a concert or outing. You can find them online for as little as $20 or download an app that does the same thing.
Put down the cotton swabs
Once thought to be the best way to clean our ears, using cotton swabs for inner ear cleaning is now considered not only unnecessary but also potentially dangerous. Many healthcare providers caution against using cotton swabs as they can actually push earwax further into the ear canal and potentially damage the inside of your ear. In general, you should not be putting anything in your ear — the best way to clean your ears is in the shower with regular soap and water.
Know your limits
Adjust the sound limit setting on your headphones, earbuds, and car’s sound system to stick to a safe volume — sounds at or below 70 decibels are generally considered safe. This way, even if you are tempted to turn the volume up on a great song, you’ll have parameters in place to enjoy it safely while also taking care of your hearing health.
If loud parties, concerts, or a noisy workplace are on your agenda for 2022, resolve to set a timer on your phone to remind you when it’s time to leave or take a break from the noise in a quieter spot. And don’t forget the ear plugs!
Work it out
Exercise is at the top of many people’s New Year’s resolutions, and for a good reason — exercise has tremendous physical and mental benefits. Exercise keeps blood moving throughout your body, including your ears! You don’t need to run a marathon or lift weights to feel the benefits either; there are a variety of yoga poses that can be especially beneficial to ear health, including tree post, downward-facing dog, and cobra pose. Pairing these gentle exercises with meditation practice is another great way to slow down and take care of your health.
Get your hearing checked
Regularly having your hearing checked is vital to keeping tabs on any hearing loss or other conditions, and catching any potential issues as they come up. Make a resolution to visit your audiologist regularly, or establish a relationship with a new audiologist if you don’t currently have one!
Looking for more hearing health and wellness tips? Keep reading the CapTel blog!
