Here And Now

Starting university is an exciting new chapter. It can be the first time living away from home, adapting to a new routine, meeting new people, and experiencing life independently.

With so many changes happening at once, it’s easy to focus on everything else and forget about your own health. Looking after your hearing is an important part of your overall wellbeing and can help you fully enjoy everything university life has to offer, from lectures and conversations to social events and nights out.

Why Hearing Health Matters at University

Your hearing plays a key role in everyday university life. It helps you follow lectures, communicate with friends, stay connected socially, and enjoy your favourite activities.

Hearing difficulties can affect more than just your ability to hear. Struggling to follow conversation, missing important information, or finding group situations challenging can lead to frustration, anxiety, and feelings of isolation, which may impact your confidence and overall university experience.

The good news is that a few simple habits can help protect your ears and reduce the risk of hearing damage, helping you stay connected, engaged, and make the most of student life.
 

Protect Your Ears at Loud Events

University often comes with plenty of opportunities to enjoy live music, clubs, and festivals. While these experiences are a big part of student life, repeated exposure to loud sounds can put your hearing at risk.

Wearing earplugs at concerts, clubs, and festivals can help reduce the amount of sound reaching your ears while still allowing you to enjoy the experience. 

It’s also important to give your ears regular breaks. Stepping outside or moving away from loud environments allows your ears time to recover. Try to avoid standing directly next to speakers, where sound levels are often much higher.

Be Mindful of Headphone Use

Whether you’re listening to music, watching lectures, or studying with background noise, for many people headphones are a big part of student life. However, listening at high volumes for long periods can contribute to hearing damage.

A useful guide is the 60/60 rule: Keep your volume at no more than 60% of the maximum level and take a break after around 60 minutes of listening.

If you’re studying in a noisy library or shared accommodation, consider using noise cancelling headphones instead of increasing the volume to block out background sounds. This can help you focus while keeping your listening level safer.

Avoid Putting Objects in Your Ears

Many people use cotton buds to clean their ears, but they can do more harm than good. Inserting cotton buds or other objects into your ears can push earwax deeper, increasing the risk of blockages, and potentially damage the ear canal or eardrum.

Your ears are naturally self cleaning, and earwax plays an important role in protecting your ears. If needed, gently clean the outside of your ears with a warm, damp cloth, but avoid trying to remove wax from inside the ear canal.
 

Look After Your Ears Throughout University and Beyond

University is a time for making memories, building friendships, and trying new things. Protecting your hearing doesn’t mean missing out. Small changes to your daily habits can help keep your ears healthy while you enjoy everything student life has to offer.

If you notice changes in your hearing, ongoing ear discomfort, ringing in your ears, or difficulty following conversations, it is important to seek advice from a hearing care professional.

At The Ear Place, we are here to support your hearing health at every stage of life. Book a hearing assessment today and take the first step towards protecting your hearing for the future.