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MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

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If you find yourself in loud clubs, concerts or cities, you might be doing more damage to your hearing than you think. People of all ages are at risk for noise-induced hearing loss, but few of us know what to do about it. 

In this comic, narrated by an adorable cartoon ear, we learn about the role of hair cells in the ear, hearing issues that may be a concern and how to protect your ears. Hint: go easy on the Q-tips! 

, executive director of the Hearing Loss Association of America, and Dr. Ariella Naim, a senior audiologist at 

The comic was written and drawn by Kaz Fantone. The audio portion of this episode was produced by Margaret and Melia Agudelo and edited by

Sylvie Douglis. The digital story was edited by Malaka Gharib. We'd love to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 

Health

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Margaret Cirino

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Kaz Fantone

Go easy on the Q-tips. Watch your phone volume. And if you’re experiencing hearing issues like muffled sounds or tinnitus, see a professional. This comic offers advice on how to care for your ears.

How to protect your ears and avoid hearing loss: An illustrated guide

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