Most people agree that having good health is one of the most important things for all of us – because without it we can’t really enjoy the rest of our lives. That’s why we go to the doctor when we’re feeling off colour, to the dentist when we’ve got a toothache or even to a physiotherapist with our aches and pains. But one area we don’t pay nearly enough attention to is our hearing.

Considering it’s such a vital sense we barely give it a second thought and it’s only when we start to lose it that we start to appreciate its importance.

With this in mind, here are five ways that right now you can start to protect your hearing from damage.

Turn down the volume

It’s a fact that listening to anything at high volume can damage the delicate hairs lining your ears and lead to premature hearing loss. So try to listen to things at the lowest possible volume that’s comfortable for you, whether it’s the TV or music through headphones. Also, be careful when listening to music in the car because noise in confined spaces can be very damaging.

Wear ear protectors

Using power tools like electric drills or garden strimmers can deliver a very loud noise from a very close range so it’s a good idea to invest in a set of ear plugs or other ear protectors next time you’re planning any DIY.

Don’t risk your hearing at work

If you work in a noisy environment and feel that you’re not being given enough protection for your hearing have a word with your line manager or the HR department. They won’t just be doing you a favour in trying to sort it out for you. It’s the law that they have to.

Have a hearing detox

If you’ve been exposed to high levels of noise for a period of time, for example in a club or at a concert, it’s important to give your ears time to recover. It’s estimated that you need around 16 hours of quiet after two hours of noise for your hearing to go back to normal.

Have a regular hearing test

By having regular hearing tests you’ll be able to quickly discover any changes in your hearing at an early stage. The experts who test you will also be able to offer the best solutions for you if it does turn out that you need hearing aids.

So follow these tips and hopefully you’ll continue to enjoy excellent hearing for many years to come – and even if you do one day need help with your hearing it’s reassuring to know that there are so many practical and discreet solutions available.