Holiday shopping has a way of filling every spare moment. Between brainstorming thoughtful ideas and checking lists twice, it’s easy to focus entirely on everyone else. But the season of giving is also a great reminder to invest in yourself, especially when it comes to protecting something as valuable as your hearing. Two smart, ear-friendly gifts can help you enjoy the sounds you love while reducing the risk of long-term damage.
1. Everyday Ear Protection
An estimated 5.2 million children and 26 million adults in the United States have noise-related hearing loss. Hearing protection isn’t just for musicians and construction employees. It also has a place in your everyday life. From noisy commutes to weekend yard work, you may subject your ears to more noise than you realize.
Reusable or pre-shaped earplugs are one great option. They’re made from materials like silicone or rubber, are widely available and come in multiple designs. Some are soft enough for sleeping, while others are designed to reduce volume evenly, so music and speech still sound natural.
Custom-fit earplugs are another alternative. Created from impressions of your ears, these offer a more precise fit and consistent protection. They’re invaluable for people frequently exposed to loud environments or who want maximum comfort for extended wear.
If you aren’t around much noise, it’s still a good idea to have a few pairs of disposable foam earplugs around for the occasional booming action movie or concert at the Hampton Coliseum.
2. Noise-Canceling or Over-Ear Headphones
Whether it’s holiday music or classic rock, music is part of all our lives. Unfortunately, many of us tend to crank that music up a little too high, leading to noise-related hearing loss.
Headphone choice is one way you can limit damage. Earbuds allow more background noise to leak in, which can tempt you to turn the volume up. Over-ear or active noise-canceling headphones help reduce outside sounds, making it easier to listen comfortably at lower, safer levels.
Schedule a Hearing Test
In addition to grabbing a couple of hearing protection gifts, consider scheduling a hearing test. Regular tests give you an idea of where your hearing is over the years and helps your hearing specialist identify damage before it starts negatively impacting your life.
Contact Hampton Roads ENT ~ Allergy today to schedule your hearing test or discuss more protection tips with one of our specialists.