The importance of hearing health by the speech therapist Johana Gonzalez in Medellín

• I often need people to repeat what they say to me.
• I need to increase the TV volume to high levels.
• People talk to me, but I have difficulty understanding them clearly.
• I do not hear the doorbell or the phone ringing.
• I find it difficult to maintain a conversation in noisy environments such as shopping malls, restaurants, or busy streets.

• I have hearing diagnostic tests (audiometry) at least once a year.
• I listen to music at an appropriate volume and do not need to increase it to understand it.
• If I am exposed to noisy environments, I use hearing protection.

The need and frequency of ear cleaning should be determined by a healthcare professional after performing an otoscopic examination. Not all ear canals are the same; some people produce more earwax than others, and proper management depends on this.

Audiometry is a subjective test performed in person that evaluates an individual’s hearing ability. It measures different frequency ranges (low, mid, and high tones) and sound intensities, expressed in decibels, allowing classification of hearing levels and hearing loss from mild to profound.

Prolonged use of headphones can be harmful to hearing due to long exposure times and high sound intensities. A pleasant sound can become harmful noise when the volume is excessively increased. If headphones must be used, over-ear models that cover the ears are recommended. For those working from home, if the environment allows, it is preferable to listen through computer speakers and avoid constant headphone use.

The presence of an earwax blockage is determined through an otoscopic examination during a medical consultation. If you experience discomfort, pain, or a sensation of a blocked ear, you should not self-medicate but instead consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis.

• Undergoing annual hearing evaluations.
• Using anatomical hearing protectors in environments with constant high noise levels.
• Avoiding listening to music at high volumes or prolonged headphone use.
• Limiting exposure to loud noises and using hearing protection when necessary, such as at construction sites or when operating machinery.
• Treating ear infections (otitis) promptly.
• Being alert to warning signs such as tinnitus or ringing in the ears.

• Obtaining an accurate and timely diagnosis.
• When required, daily use of clinically programmed hearing aids according to the type of hearing loss, prescribed by an audiologist or medical specialist.
• Once hearing loss is diagnosed, follow-up hearing evaluations every six months are recommended to implement corrective and preventive actions and prevent further deterioration.

Using cotton swabs to clean the ears is not advisable. Only after an otoscopic evaluation can specific recommendations be provided, as each ear canal has a different anatomy and earwax-producing glands function differently in each individual.