People in South Devon have revealed the health-related pearls of wisdom they would tell their younger selves.
This includes avoiding listening to music at full blast, always wearing sunglasses even in winter, and to get enough sleep – according to new research.
The Specsavers survey to mark Tinnitus Awareness Week (3-9 February 2025) shows that 61% of people in the region admit they ignored a potential health condition before the age of 30, which later flared up, with a similar amount (62%) skipping regular health check-ups when they were younger.
The poll also revealed that those aged 40-plus wish they had prioritised regular exercise, even if it’s just walking (62%), and ensured they got enough vitamin D (32%). Others would recommend not ignoring their mental health (30%), starting a skincare regime earlier in life (25%) and taking better care of their hearing (13%). In fact, 12% would advise younger generations to always pack hearing protection when heading to a gig.
The research highlights the importance of regular health checks to improve our health and wellbeing later in life.
More than three-quarters (79 %) aged 40-plus admit they rarely or never took steps to protect their hearing when exposed to loud environments in their youth. People are now feeling the consequences, with 42% rating their hearing as average or poor and 66% reporting they experience occasional tinnitus, a condition in which you hear ringing in your ear.
Renowned DJ Woody Cook, who lives with tinnitus,said: “Without a doubt, my tinnitus is from listening to loud music. As a DJ, my hearing is crucial. I wish I’d known earlier about the risks and protected my hearing better, but it’s not too late, and with the right hearing protection I’m able to stop my tinnitus from getting any worse.”
Four in 10 blamed their past health naivety on a lack of awareness of long-term consequences, while 28% admitted they didn’t have enough knowledge about preventative care.
Specsavers chief audiologist, Gordon Harrison, said: “When you’re young, prioritising your health can take a backseat to work and socialising. But many adults now wish they had been more proactive – whether in staying active, getting enough sleep, having regular eye tests or protecting their hearing.
“Tinnitus is a growing issue, with huge numbers of adults experiencing the condition. While it is not known exactly what causes tinnitus, exposure to loud noise can trigger the condition and that’s why protecting your hearing is so important.”
The survey’s findings show that nearly 59% do not fully understand the impact of poor health habits until later in life. By highlighting these findings, Specsavers hopes more people will take preventative health more seriously to help prevent long-term implications.
If you have any concerns about your hearing or want to find out more information, visit pecsavers.co.uk/hearing/hearing-test
Top health tips that people aged 40-plus across the region would tell their younger selves:
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