How to Prevent Hearing Loss: Simple Tips and Effective Solutions
3 simple rules to prevent hearing loss
While age-related hearing loss cannot be prevented, noise-induced hearing loss is preventable.
There are a few simple rules you can follow to protect your hearing health as much as possible, regardless of your age.
1. Protect your ears
If you must be in noisy environments, wear ear protection – no matter if you are home, at work, or at a concert.
Ask yourself: Do you need a hearing test?
Answer the four questions below to see if you should consider getting a hearing test.
Your Result:
We recommend a hearing test
Your answers indicate that you experience symptoms of hearing loss. We strongly recommend booking a hearing test at one of our clinics.
The result is an indication. An in-person hearing test can determine if you have a hearing loss.
Your Result:
We recommend a hearing test
Your answers indicate that you experience some symptoms of hearing loss. We recommend booking a hearing test at one of our clinics.
The result is an indication. An in-person hearing test can determine if you have a hearing loss.
Your Result:
We could not determine whether you need a hearing test
Your answers do not indicate that you experience symptoms of hearing loss. However, if you experience trouble hearing, we recommend booking a hearing test at one of our clinics.
The result is an indication. An in-person hearing test can determine if you have a hearing loss.
How loud is too loud?
Sounds are considered harmful when they exceed 85 dB, which is similar to the loudness of heavy traffic. Sound levels can soar to harmful levels in our everyday lives more often than you might think. Here are some noise comparisons for reference to help you limit your exposure to loud noises and thereby prevent hearing loss:
- Normal conversation: 60 dB
- Busy street: 75-85 dB
- Lawn mower: 90 dB
- Chainsaw: 100-120 dB
- Heavy truck at seven meters' distance: 100 dB
- Loud music playing on a smartphone: 112 dB
- Loud car horn: 110 dB
- Rock concert: 120 dB
- Ambulance siren: 120 dB
- Jet engine: 140 dB
How to prevent hearing loss from getting worse
Do you suspect that you already have some degree of hearing loss?
It is important to seek help as soon as possible since untreated hearing loss can deteriorate over time.
We recommend that you book a free hearing test when you recognize the early signs in order to reduce the risks of untreated hearing loss.
Loud noise and tinnitus
The most common cause of tinnitus is due to loud noise that damages the sensory hair cells in the cochlea (a shell-like organ in the inner ear where sounds are converted into electrical signals.) Damage to the hair cells in our ear can cause both tinnitus and hearing loss.
In fact, more than 80% of people with tinnitus also experience some degree of hearing loss, but many tinnitus sufferers are not aware that their hearing is suffering too.
Katie graduated with a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours), with Distinction, from the University of Western Ontario in 2006, followed by a master’s degree in audiology from the same institution in 2008. She began her career providing hearing healthcare as an audiologist at the HearingLife Cambridge clinic. Here, she supported clients in achieving better hearing outcomes for over 13 years.
Last reviewed 2025-12-16
