Hearing Protection Tips: Experts Recommend the 60-60 Rule

As you age, hearing loss becomes more apparent. It happens silently, so you don't notice it until it has a noticeable effect.

Dr. Manan Vora, a sports medicine specialist in Mumbai (India), emphasized that the ear often ages earlier than other parts of the body, and hearing loss is not only annoying but also affects memory, cognitive ability and daily communication, according to Times of India (India).

Why can aging ears cause cognitive decline?

The inner ear contains tiny, delicate hair cells that are responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals that the brain can interpret. These cells are very sensitive and cannot regenerate if damaged.

Hearing loss is not only annoying but also affects memory.

Illustration: AI

Over time, listening to loud music, exposure to traffic noise, construction sites, bars, or constant use of headphones can wear out the hair cells, causing high-frequency hearing loss. This can make it difficult to hear soft consonants, background noise, or voices from a distance.

Notably, Dr. Vora emphasized that hearing loss is closely related to brain health. When the brain has difficulty decoding sounds, it has to work harder, causing cognitive performance to decline. If left untreated, poor hearing is also linked to accelerated memory decline and even social withdrawal.

Scientific ways to protect your hearing

Here are four practical strategies Dr. Vora suggests to help protect your hearing:

Keep headphone volume moderate : If your headphones are loud enough for people around you to hear, you're in the "danger zone." Experts recommend the 60-60 rule: keep the volume below 60% and listen for no more than 60 minutes at a time.

Give your ears a break : If you listen to music continuously while working, studying or commuting, try giving your ears a “break” every hour. Even 5 minutes of silence can help reduce stress on the auditory system. These breaks help prevent fatigue from building up in the hair cells and reduce the risk of long-term damage.

Support your hearing with sleep and water : The inner ear functions efficiently thanks to good blood circulation, adequate oxygen supply and stable metabolic health. Poor sleep disrupts these mechanisms, making the ear vulnerable to stress and noise, while drinking enough water helps the tiny structures in the ear maintain optimal function. Therefore, regular sleep, regular exercise and staying hydrated help protect hearing in the long term.

Pay attention to early warning signs : Blurred hearing, incomplete syllables, one ear hearing differently than the other… are early signs of auditory stress. Early medical attention is important because auditory cells cannot regenerate after damage.

Protecting your hearing early means maintaining independence, confidence and mental clarity as you age. Good hearing keeps your brain active, facilitates conversation and facilitates everyday life. Instead of waiting for the signs to become serious, take care of your hearing today.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/meo-bao-ve-thinh-luc-chuyen-gia-khuyen-nghi-quy-tac-60-60-185251124104953056.htm