5 ways to prevent hearing loss

5 Ways to prevent hearing loss 1. Avoid loud noises The best way to avoid noise-induced hearing loss is to keep away from the loud noise as much as you can. Generally, a noise is probably loud enough to damage your hearing if: you have to raise your voice to talk to other people you can't hear what people nearby are saying it hurts your ears You have ringing in your ears or muffled hearing afterward Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB): the higher the number, the louder the noise. Any sound over 85dB can be harmful, especially if you're exposed to it for a long time. To get an idea of how loud this is: whispering – 30dB conversation – 60dB busy traffic – 70 to 85 dB motorbike – 90dB listening to music on full volume through headphones – 100 to 110dB plane taking off – 120dB You can get smartphone apps that measure noise levels but make sure they're set up (calibrated) properly to get a more accurate reading. ...