Protect the hearing you still have

The WHO "Make Listening Safe" programme highlights safe-listening habits:

• Turn it down, take breaks. A widely used rule of thumb for headphones is "60/60" — no more than ~60% volume for ~60 minutes at a time.
• Wear ear protection for loud hobbies and jobs — concerts, power tools, motorbikes, shooting. Carry reusable earplugs.
• Step away from the speakers at loud venues, and give your ears quiet recovery time afterwards.
• Don't poke cotton buds in your ears — they push wax in and can damage the ear. For wax, use professional microsuction removal.

Work somewhere noisy? Ask us about workplace hearing checks.

Not sure if you need to see someone? See when to seek professional help →