Most of us think that hearing loss is an inevitable part of aging. It doesn't have to be. Care of your hearing starts when you are young; prevention is the best strategy.
Prevention of hearing loss centers on minimizing noise damage. A sudden blast of loud noise, such as a hunting rifle shot, or consistently high noise levels can permanently damage the ear. Our ears are full of tiny hair cells that detect and transport sound inward. Unfortunately, once damaged, these cells do not regenerate.
Loud noises are everywhere. There is evidence that prolonged exposure to noise of 80 decibels or higher can cause hearing loss. Here's a listing of common noises and their typical loudness levels from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (2006):
These sounds are considered safe noise (a db represents one 10X increase in sound energy):
30db Whisper
60db Normal conversation
80db Ringing telephone
Prolonged exposure to these noises (2 hours or more) above 85 db can cause hearing loss:
90db Power lawn mower
96db Tractor
98db Hand drill
Regular exposure of more than 1 minute to these noises risks hearing loss:
105db Bulldozer
110db Jackhammer, chain saw
120db Ambulance siren
140db Jet engine
165db 12-guage-shotgun blast
Can You Hear Me Now?
One rule of thumb, if you can't hear over music or other noise such that someone within 3 feet of you cannot hear you speak, the noise is too loud. If you are rocking out to your iPod and your neighbor can hear the music too, it's too loud. (Note that an iPod's maximum volume is 130 db--almost that of a jet engine.)
Put a Plug on It
Ear plugs are an inexpensive and very effective way to protect your hearing from the damage of loud noise. The style doesn't matter, wax or foam. Check the stats on the box; ear plugs should reduce noise by 20 to 30 db to be effective.
Give It a Rest
Since your ears don't show outward signs of damage, bleeding or swelling for example, ear damage from noise is not obvious. Sustained low level, yet dangerous, noise is considered more damaging than a short period of a higher level noise. Signs of noise damage to your ears include ringing or muffling of sounds. When you exit that loud concert, if you notice a ringing in your ears, get to a place that is quiet and give your overworked ears a rest.
Check it Out
Hearing loss can carry with it a host of psychological problems that start with isolation, lack of self-confidence, and sometimes depression. If you think you have suffered hearing damage, visit your doctor or audiologist. While hearing loss from noise is not reversible, there can be many reasons to visit your medical provider. Some hearing problems are related to ear wax build up or other problems that can be treated.
Member Comments