10 Ways to Protect Your Hearing: Advice for Singapore Adults

Limit Exposure to Loud Noises

One of the most significant threats to hearing is prolonged exposure to loud noise. Prolonged sounds above 85dB, equivalent to heavy traffic or a vacuum cleaner, can cause irreversible damage to the tiny hair cells in the inner ear. These cells are responsible for transmitting sound signals to the brain, but they do not regenerate once damaged. Limit your exposure to loud environments such as concerts, construction sites, or loud machinery. If exposure is unavoidable, try to reduce the time spent in such settings and protect your ears with appropriate safety measures.  

Use Earplugs in Noisy Environments

Earplugs are one of the simplest yet most effective tools for protecting your hearing in loud situations. Disposable foam plugs are inexpensive and widely available, while custom-moulded earplugs provide better fit and comfort. If you frequently attend concerts or work in noisy environments, consider custom high-fidelity earplugs. These reduce harmful noise levels without distorting sound quality, making them ideal for musicians or event enthusiasts.   How To Protect Your Hearing At A Concert Certain large events can be noisy and push the boundaries of safe listening levels. These include air-shows, firework displays, music events and football matches. Consider noise protection i.e. earplugs or ear defenders. Don’t stand too close to loudspeakers, especially in an environment where you have no control over the volume. If necessary, invest in custom ear plugs for greater noise protection.   Non-custom Ear Plugs This type of ear protection is seen as the most basic form. Plugs can be made out of: – Memory foam (where the plug is rolled up and inserted into the ear canal) – Silicone (which is rolled into a ball and pressed into the ear to mould over the ear canal) – Flanged (where they achieve a seal down to their tapered shape) – Tapered ear plugs inserted into the ear to obtain a seal against the noise One of the advantages of non-custom ear plugs is that they are disposable and therefore more hygienic. Non-custom plugs are also available fitted with specific filters for use in a variety of situations including at work, on aeroplanes, at parties and whilst asleep.  

Keep Your Ears Clean and Dry

Moisture in the ear canal creates a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, leading to infections like swimmer’s ear. To prevent this, dry your ears gently with a towel after swimming or bathing. For those prone to ear infections, consider wearing custom earplugs or swim caps while swimming. Alcohol-based ear drops can also help to dry out any residual moisture.  

Avoid Cotton Swabs on Ears

Many people use cotton swabs or buds to clean their ears, but this habit can be harmful. Cotton buds can push wax deeper into the ear canal, leading to ear blockage or damage to the eardrum. Ears are naturally self-cleaning, and earwax typically migrates outward on its own. If you feel that earwax buildup is excessive, consult an ENT specialist who can safely remove it using appropriate tools.  

Protect Your Ears at Work

Ear Muffs Or Defenders Ear muffs or defenders have cups lined with sound-deadening material. The protection usually comes from acoustic foam which absorbs sound waves by increasing air resistance, thus reducing the amplitude of the waves.   Custom Hearing Protection Customised earplugs, which attenuate sounds across all frequencies rather than just low and mid-frequencies, can be of particular interest to musicians looking for ear protection. These ear plugs are designed to protect your hearing, while delivering clear and natural sound across all frequencies. Impressions of your ears can be taken and a custom set of ear plugs can be manufactured for your specific needs.  

Keep the Volume Low on Devices

Modern lifestyles often involve extended use of headphones or earbuds, but high volumes can contribute to noise-induced hearing loss. Experts recommend keeping the volume at no more than 60 per cent of the maximum and limiting listening sessions to no more than 60 minutes at a time—the 60/60 rule. Noise-cancelling headphones can help you listen at lower volumes by blocking external noise. Choose over-ear designs for added comfort and better sound isolation compared to in-ear buds. How To Listen To Music Safely (On Phones & Portable Devices) – Set your headphone volume levels when you’re in a quiet environment, not a place with lots of competing sounds. Lower the volume if you can’t hear those around you speaking. – Avoid using a listening device where lack of attention to your surroundings could be dangerous, for example whilst driving or operating machinery. – Pay attention to how long you listen to music at high volume. Your ears adapt to higher volume settings over time meaning that you can damage your hearing even if the intensity doesn’t seem uncomfortable to your ears. – The louder the volume, the less time noise takes to affect your hearing. If you experience ringing in your ears or speech sounds muffled, stop listening and get your hearing checked as soon as possible.