We have officially rung in the new year, and that means it’s time to set your 2026 resolutions. You may already have a few. A Statista survey found that some of the most common resolutions focus on caring for your physical or social health. With exercise and healthy eating at the top of that list, let’s focus on one often-ignored aspect of your whole-body wellness: hearing health.
While it may not seem connected at first glance, hearing loss can lower your frequency of physical activity and increase your risk of falls. The impact it has on your social activity is more obvious. One study found that hearing loss correlated with higher rates of social isolation and even loneliness. Isolation can start small. You might struggle to understand those around you and shy away from noisy social activities like hosting game nights or grabbing a drink with friends at Downtown Grille. Over time, you might find yourself skipping events or friend dates altogether.
Because the impacts of hearing loss are wide-ranging, it’s essential to protect your hearing before damage arises. And there’s no better time to start than today! Let’s look at two hearing protection resolutions you can make for a healthier year.
1. Grab Earplugs
Earplugs are small, but their benefit to your hearing health is massive. When sound enters your ears, the volume of the noise determines its impact. If it rises above 85 decibels, it puts your hearing at risk. Earplugs dampen the force with which sound hits your ears—lowering your risk of damage. You have a few different options:
- Formable foam. Formable foam earplugs are the disposable ones you get at concerts. To use them, squeeze the foam and insert one into the ear canal, where it’ll expand to fill the space. Repeat with the second.
- Pre-formed. Pre-formed earplugs are made of plastic, silicone or rubber. You can get them custom-fit to your ear or buy standard sizes. Shallower silicone options are great if you like to wear them while you sleep. You can also choose high-fidelity plugs with special filters, perfect for listening to music safely without sacrificing quality.
If you prefer over-the-ear protection, earmuffs are a great option. They’re common among construction workers.
2. Check Your Volume
Just about everyone has a pair of headphones. You might even have gotten some as a gift over the holidays. They allow you to jam out to your favorite music, but you need to be careful of the volume. Your phone can put out volume well above the threshold for hearing damage, and you may raise it higher than is safe without even realizing it. Go into your smartphone’s settings and find the headphone safety setting. Set the decibel limit below 85 to protect your ears from accidental volume raising.
Make 2026 the year of healthy hearing. Contact us at Ear, Nose & Throat Consultants today to learn more about protecting your ears or to schedule a hearing test.