Earplugs: Help Celebrities Battle Hearing Loss

Population-based studies show that there are almost 9 million people with hearing problems of different kind in the UK at the present time. Some action on hearing loss has already been taken on the part of celebrities including Boy George, Joanna Lumley, Stephen Fry, KT Tunstall and others supporting Action on Hearing Loss, former known as RNID, the UK's largest charity for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. While helping people with all levels of hearing loss is top priority for the organisation, certain things like wearing earplugs and avoiding noisy environments can be done on behalf of everyone.

Frustrating figures
Almost 6.5 million people suffering from hearing problems are over the age of 60 and about 2.5 million people with hearing impairments are under 60. There are 20 000 children and young people under 15 who are deaf. While some of these people are just slightly hard of hearing, others suffer from profound deafness.

Facing the problem    
Tinnitus is the cause of hearing problems of 250 000 people in the UK. These people hear sounds and noises such as buzzing, hissing and ringing 24 hours a day. People suffering from tinnitus state that it has a great impact on the quality of their lives. Other causes of hearing loss include infectious diseases, genetics, inherited diseases, traumas as well as exposure to loud noise.

Protecting your hearing
Although certain hearing loss causes such as genetics are hardly possible to avoid, there are ways to protect ears which can be easily damaged by loud noise. Avoiding noise, wearing earplugs and muffs as well as seeking proper treatment for ear infections are the basic steps to protect hearing.

Choosing plugs
 Quality earplugs are available in a variety of designs, materials and sizes to suit different spheres of use including motor racing, motorcycling, swimming, shooting, sleeping, travelling, etc. There are plugs specifically designed for musicians, industry and construction workers and other professionals. Foam earplugs are soft and comfortable to wear, designed to snugly fit the ear canal and block unwanted noises. Different sizes and shapes of plugs are suitable for children, women and men.  

While organisations such as Action on Hearing Loss are doing a lot to help people with hearing problems achieve a better quality of life, everyone can take steps to protect their hearing by wearing earplugs and avoiding loud noise where possible.

~ 26 January 2012 ~