Turn it Down: Tips on How to Protect Your Hearing 

The effects of noise on hearing depends on how loud the noise is and how long the noise lasts. If you need to shout in order to be heard, the sound is too loud and may damage your hearing. 

“If your family is telling you to get a hearing test, then go do it,” said Dr. Lindsay Bondurant, director of the Pennsylvania Ear Institute (PEI), Salus at Drexel University. “An audiologist can help you understand why there might be communication breakdowns due to hearing loss, and give you strategies to make things easier for you.” 

Here are some ways to protect one’s hearing: 

• Reduce the volume: Use the 60-60 rule and listen to music at 60 percent of the volume for no more than 60 minutes a day. 
• Take breaks from noise and walk away: limit listening time for loud music and noisy areas. 
• Protection: Use earplugs or noise cancellation earphones. The choice of hearing protection device depends on your personal preferences of comfort and where you will wear it.  
• Know your levels: Use a Smartphone app, such as NIOSH, or the Apple watch, to measure sound levels in your environment and get your hearing regularly tested. 

Including regular hearing evaluations as part of your healthcare routine can help ensure more than just your hearing is covered. You also may see benefits in your physical, mental and general health. 

To schedule your hearing evaluation with one of the audiologists at the Pennsylvania Ear Institute (PEI), call 215.780.3180.