Speech and Hearing Month: 4 easy ways to prioritize your hearing health

Hearing loss can creep in slowly, affecting not just how you hear but how you engage with the world. It can change how you connect with others, experience music or media, and even respond to safety cues in your environment. 

May is Speech and Hearing Month in Canada, a reminder of how essential our ears are—and why taking care of them should be part of your wellness routine. The good news? You don’t need a complete lifestyle overhaul to protect your hearing. These simple, year-round strategies can help you stay proactive, connected, and confident in your hearing health. 

• 1. Avoid exposure to excessive noise 

• 2. Limit headphone use and volume 

• 3. Don’t clean your ears with Q-tips 

• 4. See a Hearing Care Provider (HCP) regularly 

• CAA member contest 

• Take control of your hearing health 

Note: Our Hearing Care Providers (HCPs) are here to support your hearing health and provide personalized guidance. However, if you're concerned about medical issues affecting your hearing, always consult your healthcare provider first. 

1. Avoid exposure to excessive noise 

From traffic to power tools, concerts to gym classes, modern life is filled with noise. Many of us are exposed to potentially damaging sound levels without even realizing it—especially in loud working environments where we’ve grown used to the volume. Sounds above 85 decibels can begin to cause damage with repeated exposure, and anything over 100 dB can lead to permanent hearing loss in as little as 15 minutes.  

One of the biggest risks is that noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is painless and gradual. You might not notice the change until you're struggling to follow conversations or turning the volume up more than usual. That’s why prevention is key, from wearing hearing protection to simply moving away from speakers at events, choosing quieter dining spots, and giving your ears regular breaks in quiet environments. 

Just remember: If your ears feel tired or you hear ringing after a noisy day, that’s a sign your hearing needs a rest.  

2. Limit headphone use and volume 

When you wear headphones, sound travels directly into the ear canal at high volumes, which can stress the delicate structures inside your inner ear. Over time, this leads to permanent damage that’s hard to notice at first but is often impossible to reverse. 

How to keep your listening habits safe 

• Use over-the-ear headphones instead of earbuds. 

• Keep your volume below 60% of the maximum. 

• Limit listening sessions to 60 minutes at a time. 

• Take breaks throughout the day to reduce ear fatigue. 

If you use headphones for work, commutes, or workouts, adopting these habits can make a big difference over the long term. 

3. Don’t clean your ears with Q-tips 

Despite how common it is, cleaning your ears with cotton swabs can do far more harm than good. Many people don’t realize that earwax—also called cerumen—isn’t something to remove completely. It actually protects the ear canal by trapping dust and debris, moisturizing the skin, and defending against bacteria.  

Inserting objects like Q-tips or metal ear picks can disrupt that natural process. Instead of removing wax, swabs often push it deeper into the ear canal, where it can build up, become impacted, and interfere with your hearing. Even more concerning is the risk of damaging the delicate lining of the ear canal or even puncturing the eardrum. These injuries can lead to pain, infection, temporary hearing loss, or in some cases, long-term damage. 

For routine cleaning, gently wipe only the outer ear with a soft cloth. If you feel like your ears are blocked, itchy, or producing more wax than usual, the safest option is to check in with your nearest Connect Hearing. 

4. See a Hearing Care Provider (HCP) regularly 

Hearing loss usually doesn’t happen overnight. It can develop so gradually that you might not realize how much you’ve missed—until someone else points it out. That’s why an annual hearing test is one of the smartest things you can do for your long-term health. At Connect Hearing, hearing tests are: 

• Free, quick, and non-invasive 

• Open to everyone; no referral needed 

• Designed to support your lifestyle, needs, and goals 

In addition to testing for hearing loss, we will also examine the overall health of your ears. That means catching issues like infections, inflammation, wax buildup, or structural concerns before they start to affect your hearing. 

Take control of your hearing health 

Good hearing helps you stay connected not just to sound, but to the people and experiences that matter most. Whether you’re protecting your hearing for the future or responding to recent changes, the best step is the next one. 

Key takeaways 

• Loud environments can cause permanent hearing loss, so wear protection when needed. 

• Headphones can damage your hearing over time. Keep volume low and take breaks. 

• Q-tips and swabs can do more harm than good. Stick to outer-ear cleaning. 

• Hearing tests are simple, free, and essential, especially if it’s been over a year. 

Take charge of your hearing this Speech and Hearing Month—and all year round. Book a free hearing test or find a clinic near you to get started.