You should schedule a hearing or balance assessment if you experience:

• Difficulty hearing conversations, especially in noisy environments

• Constantly asking people to repeat themselves

• Ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)

• Dizziness, vertigo, or imbalance

• Hearing muffled sounds or trouble locating sound direction

• Delayed speech development in children

• Exposure to loud noises regularly (music, construction, factories)

Protect Your Ears from Loud Noise

• Use earplugs or earmuffs in loud environments (concerts, construction, etc.)

• Keep volume below 60% when using headphones

• Follow the 60/60 rule: Max 60 minutes at 60% volume per day

✅ Practice Good Ear Hygiene

• Never insert cotton swabs or objects into your ear canal

• Clean outer ears gently with a damp cloth

• Treat ear infections promptly to avoid long-term damage

✅ Use Hearing Aids Correctly

• Follow cleaning instructions to keep devices working properly

• Don’t skip follow-up visits for adjustments and reprogramming

• Ask about Bluetooth and rechargeable models for convenience

• Learn lip reading or sign language if needed

• Use closed captions and assistive listening devices

• Join hearing support groups or speak to a counselor for emotional support

• Keep an emergency plan: use visual alarms and alert systems at home