We often think of hearing loss as something that just “happens” with age, but your daily habits can play a much bigger role than you might realize. From the volume of your headphones to your favorite hobbies, and even your diet, certain lifestyle choices can make hearing loss worse. 

Whether you’re already experiencing hearing loss or want to protect yourself, understanding how everyday behaviors affect your ears is a crucial step in preserving your long-term health.  

In this blog, we explore some common habits and behaviors that can contribute to hearing loss and simple changes you can make today.

Lifestyle Choices That Can Contribute to Hearing Loss

Hearing loss often develops gradually, so many people don’t notice it until it starts affecting their daily lives. In fact, according to a CDC study, 1 in 4 people who reported having “excellent” hearing actually had measurable hearing loss.1 

While some causes of hearing loss are beyond our control, others are linked to everyday habits. From how you clean your ears to forgetting to bring earplugs to a concert, small choices can have a big impact on your long-term hearing health. 

Below, we take a closer look at common lifestyle choices linked to hearing loss, some of which might surprise you.

Frequent Exposure to Loud Noise

Loud noise is the second most common cause of hearing loss after age-related causes.2 At least 40 million adults in the U.S. have noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).

Whether it’s from working in noisy environments or attending loud music concerts, any prolonged or repeated exposure to high levels of sound can damage the delicate hair cells in the inner ear. Once these cells are damaged, they do not regenerate, leading to permanent hearing loss over time. Even short bursts of loud noise, like fireworks or sirens, can cause lasting damage if your ears aren’t protected.

That’s why it’s important to wear proper hearing protection in loud environments and while doing noisy activities. Hearing protection devices (HPDs) like earplugs and earmuffs help block harmful sound waves from reaching your inner ears, reducing the risk of noise-induced hearing damage. 

Improper Headphone Use

Headphones and earbuds make it easy to enjoy music, podcasts, and videos on the go, but how you use them matters. Listening at high volumes, especially for long periods, can lead to hearing loss.

Many headphones can reach 110 dB at their maximum volume.3 That’s about as loud as a rock concert or a jackhammer, playing directly into your ear. This volume can cause damage instantly, especially at such a close range to the inner ear.

Below are some tips for protecting your hearing by using headphones responsibly:

  • Listen at safe volume levels: if you can hear the audio from your headphones when they are not on your head, they are too loud. 
  • Practice the 60/60 rule: never exceed 60% of the max volume and listen for no longer than 60 minutes at a time, with breaks every hour. 
  • Use noise-cancelling headphones: by minimizing external noise disruptions, you can comfortably listen to your headphones at a lower volume level. 

Your listening habits today can shape your hearing health for years to come. Always use headphones responsibly. 

Not Managing Chronic Health Conditions

Many underlying health conditions are linked to hearing loss. Some examples include:

  • Diabetes 
  • High blood pressure (hypertension) 
  • Ménière’s disease 
  • Tumors (Acoustic Neuroma) 
  • Lyme disease 
  • Certain autoimmune conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis) 

If you’re living with a chronic condition, managing it effectively can also help reduce your risk of hearing loss. This includes following all recommendations from your primary healthcare provider and regular hearing check-ups. 

Improper Ear Hygiene

For many people, using cotton swabs is a normal part of daily hygiene, like brushing your teeth or washing your face. However, cotton swabs or other similar products can actually do more harm than good when it comes to your ears.

Earwax, or cerumen, plays an important role in protecting your tympanic membrane (eardrum), trapping dust and debris, and preventing infection. In most cases, the ears are self-cleaning, and earwax naturally moves out on its own.

Inserting a cotton swab into your ear can actually push wax deeper into the ear canal, cause blockages, or even damage the eardrum.

If you feel like you have a buildup or blockage, never insert anything into your ear canal. Instead, contact the specialists at Audibel Hearing Healthcare in Metairie, for professional care.

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Poor Nutrition and Lack of Physical Activity

Did you know that what you eat and how physically active you are can have a direct impact on your hearing health? A diet lacking essential nutrients can increase your risk of hearing loss. Likewise, a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to health conditions linked to an increased risk of hearing loss, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

Below are some tips to safeguard your hearing and overall health through maintaining balanced nutrition and activity levels:

  • Limit intake of processed foods: Avoid eating too much refined sugar, sodium, synthetic ingredients, and artificial trans fats. 
  • Maintain a balanced diet: Prioritize key nutrients like protein, magnesium, zinc, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins like B12, C, and E. 
  • Lead a more active lifestyle: Incorporate as much movement into your daily routine as you can, like simple stretches, walking, and low-impact exercises like yoga.  

Always be sure to consult with your primary healthcare provider before making changes to your diet or exercise routine. 

Cigarette Smoking and Vaping

Cigarettes contain over 7,000 different chemicals and heavy metals, many of which can increase the risk of hearing loss.4 Studies show that those who smoke cigarettes are at a 70% higher risk of developing hearing loss.5 Even people who don’t smoke but are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke are at a higher risk of hearing loss.6 

Vaping is also linked to hearing loss. Research shows that regularly using e-cigarettes can impair blood vessel function and increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.7 Both of these effects can cause hearing damage.

The best way to protect your ears from the harmful effects of smoking and vaping is to quit. Consider talking to your healthcare professional, exploring local programs or groups, and avoiding secondhand smoke whenever possible. 

Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Not only can drinking heavily negatively affect your liver function, but it can also take a toll on your hearing health. In fact, numerous studies have linked long-term drinking to an increased risk of hearing loss.8 

The CDC classifies heavy drinking as 8 or more drinks per week for women, and 15 or more drinks per week for men.9 To reduce the toxic effects of alcohol, experts recommend limiting intake to only 1 drink or less per day for women, and 2 drinks or less for men.10 

Ignoring the Signs of Hearing Loss

Sometimes a harmful lifestyle choice is not something you do, but something that you don’t do. Ignoring the signs of hearing loss can allow the condition to progress to the point of having a profound impact on everyday quality of life. 

Common signs of hearing loss include:

  • Frequently asking others to repeat themselves 
  • Turning up the volume on TVs, radios, or phones 
  • Difficulty understanding speech, especially in busy settings 
  • Trouble hearing high-pitched sounds like birdsong or the voice of children 
  • Fatigue due to the extra effort required to follow conversations 

Early detection of hearing loss plays a crucial role in reducing the impact of the condition on your quality of life.  Addressing hearing changes early can make all the difference in staying connected, engaged, and living an active and independent lifestyle. 

Putting Off Hearing Tests

Just like regular eye exams or dental checkups, hearing tests are an important part of preventive healthcare. However, they’re often overlooked. Even if you don’t notice any symptoms, keeping up with routine hearing exams is essential to your overall health and well-being.

Routine hearing screenings can detect gradual changes you might not notice day to day. Identifying hearing loss early allows you to take steps to protect the hearing you still have and explore solutions that can improve daily communication and quality of life.

If you’ve never had a hearing test, or it’s been a few years, it’s a good idea to schedule one, especially if you’re over the age of 50.

Please don’t wait until it becomes a problem you can’t ignore. Take our free online hearing test or schedule an appointment at Audibel Hearing Healthcare in Metairie.

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Get the Personalized Hearing Healthcare You Deserve at Audibel Hearing Healthcare in Metairie 

Small, everyday choices can add up to hearing loss over time. By being mindful of your habits and taking steps to protect your ears, you can significantly reduce your risk of hearing loss and stay connected to the world around you.  

If you or a loved one is experiencing any changes in your hearing, the specialists at Audibel Hearing Healthcare in Metairie are here to help you every step of the way. Contact us today to get the personalized care you deserve. 

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References

  1. Carroll, Y. I., Eichwald, J., Scinicariello, F., Hoffman, H. J., Deitchman, S., Radke, M. S., Themann, C. L., & Breysse, P. (2017). Vital Signs: Noise-Induced Hearing loss among Adults — United States 2011–2012. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 66(5), 139–144. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6605e3 
  2. Noise-Induced hearing loss. (2025, April 16). NIDCD. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss  
  3. How Loud is Too Loud? (2025, April 28). NIDCD. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/how-loud-too-loud  
  4. Kumar, A., Gulati, R., Singhal, S., Hasan, A., & Khan, A. (2013). The effect of smoking on the hearing status –A hospital based study. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH. https://doi.org/10.7860/jcdr/2013/4968.2730 
  5. Hu, H., Sasaki, N., Ogasawara, T., Nagahama, S., Akter, S., Kuwahara, K., Kochi, T., Eguchi, M., Kashino, I., Murakami, T., Shimizu, M., Uehara, A., Yamamoto, M., Nakagawa, T., Honda, T., Yamamoto, S., Hori, A., Nishiura, C., Okazaki, H., . . . Dohi, S. (2018). Smoking, smoking cessation, and the risk of hearing loss: Japan Epidemiology Collaboration on Occupational Health study. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 21(4), 481–488. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/nty026 
  6. About secondhand smoke. (2024, May 15). Smoking and Tobacco Use. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/secondhand-smoke/  
  7. Ma, S., Kaareen, A., Park, H., He, Y., Jiang, S., Qiu, Z., Xie, Z., Li, D., Chen, J., O’Connor, R. J., Fong, G. T., & Shang, C. (2024). How to identify e-Cigarette brands available in the United States during 2020-2022: Development and Usability Study. JMIR Formative Research, 8, e47570. https://doi.org/10.2196/47570  
  8. Qian, P., Zhao, Z., Liu, S., Xin, J., Liu, Y., Hao, Y., Wang, Y., & Yang, L. (2023). Alcohol as a risk factor for hearing loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE, 18 (1), e0280641. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0280641  
  9. Facts about excessive drinking. (2024, October 7). Drink Less, Be Your Best. https://www.cdc.gov/drink-less-be-your-best/facts-about-excessive-drinking/index.html  
  10. Understanding alcohol Drinking Patterns | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). (n.d.). https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-drinking-patterns