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Sounds are all around us. Some are beautiful, like the sound of your grandchildren laughing, or the sound of the rain. Others are not so nice, like the screeching of tires in traffic, or fingers on a chalk board. Do you know which of these sounds could be harming your hearing?
Noise Induced Hearing Loss
Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a serious problem in America. Now more than ever before, millions of people are being affected by the sounds around them. NIHL is hearing loss caused by repeated exposure to excessively loud noises, whether at work or during leisure activities. These sounds are so loud that they harm your hearing and rob you of the ability to hear the sounds around you.
NIHL is common among certain jobs like manufacturing or construction that use a lot of heavy machinery but can also be the result of daily living. We’re surrounded by sounds all the time, from the TV to traffic to household appliances or the lawn mower. Hearing loss can be the result of one extremely loud noise but being exposed to loud noises over long periods of time also chips away at your hearing.
All these sounds you don’t think twice about are damaging the hair cells in the inner ear. These cells are responsible for transforming sound waves into electrical signals and sending this information to the brain, so if these cells are damaged or destroyed, you’ll experience hearing loss.
Are You at Risk of NIHL?
Noise exposure can happen to anyone, regardless of age. Children, teens, adults, and seniors all risk NIHL when they’re exposed to dangerously loud sounds. A study in 2012 found that around 10 million American adults under the age of 70 have noise induced hearing loss, and it’s estimated that as many as 17% of teenagers suffer from a hearing loss. Hearing loss should be taken seriously, and if you think you’re exposed to loud sounds, you risk damaging your hearing.
Sounds That Harm Your Hearing
There are a lot of sounds that could harm your hearing. Common sense tells us that the louder the sound, the more likely you are to lose your hearing. However, being exposed to moderately loud sounds for a long time is just as damaging to your ears and will result in NIHL. Some of the loudest sounds that damage hearing are firearms or fireworks at close range or standing next to a jet engine as it’s getting ready to take off. At around 140 decibels (dB), hearing loss will be immediate and permanent. Emergency sirens, or even a very loud clap of thunder also harm your hearing, clocking in at around 120 dB.
Noises that will take slightly longer to affect your hearing include power tools, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, or even the garbage truck. After a few hours of exposure, you’ll definitely face hearing loss. Do you volunteer at your child’s elementary school? The lunch room could be up to 100 dB and will harm everyone’s hearing! Even home appliances like your coffee grinder, blender, vacuum cleaner, or hair dryer are between 80 to 100 dB, and if you have them on all day, you will harm your hearing. The louder the sound, the less time you can spend before your hearing is damaged.
Protect Your Hearing
NIHL, whatever the cause, is preventable. It’s caused by exposure to loud noises, so to protect your hearing, you need to reduce your exposure to these dangerous sounds, whether by removing yourself from the areas with a lot of noise, turning down the volume on your TV or iPod, or wearing hearing protection whenever you find yourself facing excessive noise.
Signs of Hearing Loss
Have you been struggling to follow conversations, or have difficulty hearing in background noise? Do you turn up the volume of the TV a little more each week, or feel like everyone around you has started mumbling? These are signs of hearing damage, and a clear reminder that it’s time to get your hearing tested.
Visit us at New Leaf Hearing Clinic for a hearing assessment, and for more tips on how to protect you and your loved ones from sounds that harm your hearing.