Being exposed to excessive noise levels (higher than 85 decibels) while working or performing other types of activities can increase your risk of hearing loss significantly or exacerbate a hearing impairment that you already have. In addition, if you do not wear hearing protection when there are harmful noise levels in the area, it is good to cause problems in the future. This is because the cochlea’s delicate hair cells will start to suffer damaging effects. The cochlea is the inner-ear organ that sends sound signals over to the brain.
Listening to loud music, running power tools, ATV riding, hunting, sporting events, and concerts can result in irreparable hearing damage. These noise levels sometimes reach up to 110 decibels (dB) or high, which can place your hearing at risk within a few minutes. Some sounds can instantaneously damage hearing. For example, a shotgun blast from a short distance without any protection can be higher than 150 dB and damage your hearing permanently in one brief moment.
Being exposed to noise repeatedly early on in life can become compounded as you grow older. Your inner ear’s hair cells never regenerate. Therefore, it is unlikely that your hearing will improve on its own once you have experienced repeated traumatic events. Suppose you suffer hearing damage as a teenager. In that case, it might not surface until you are in your late twenties or early thirties – or even not until your fifties or sixties when presbycusis becomes a more significant factor, which is age-related hearing deterioration.
Hearing protection works to prevent damaging noise levels through dampening sounds that are piercing but still allow you to hear sounds that you want to clear. The hearing protection that we offer goes well beyond any earplugs that you purchase at a drugstore. The Hearing Doctor provides a range of custom-fit hearing protection designed to perfectly fit your ear’s contours to offer a comfortable and snug fit and protect you from dangerous noise all day long.
If Hearing Loss Is Not Treated Will, There Be Consequences Later On In Life?
It is essential to protect your hearing since hearing loss is linked with numerous serious health conditions later on in life. Research has established a relationship between dementia and hearing loss, and this association is a close one. Strong evidence shows that brain-tissue atrophy is accelerated by hearing loss, especially in parts of the brain stimulated by auditory nerves but cannot since they are not getting a signal due to hearing loss. Those parts of the brain are related to speech and memory as well.
It is three times more likely for people who have mild hearing losses to fall compared to those who do not, and the chance of a fall increases as the amount of hearing loss increases. Various other diseases have also been linked to hearing loss, including sickle-cell anaemia, cardiovascular diseases, and different types of circulatory problems.
Read: Keep My Nervous System Healthy
What Is Too Loud?
Generally speaking, if you need to raise your voice to be heard over noise or music, it is most likely too loud and could possibly damage your hearing. Things such as heavy freeway traffic or lawnmowers have a tendency to range from 80 to 90 dB, where your hearing is at risk of becoming damaged. People who are exposed to noises of 85 dB or higher should test their hearing regularly to find out if they already have hearing damage.
Suppose you are faced with loud noise exposure continuously at work or with your leisure activities. In that case, you should consult with a hearing solutions specialist about the most current hearing-protection techniques that suit your needs the best.
Read: Tips to Keep Your Eyes Healthy
Frequently Asked Questions About Hearing Protection
1. Do earplugs or earmuffs have advantages?
Heavy-duty earmuffs can make a seal around your ear that will cut noises out to the same degree that many earplugs do. The main disadvantages are the potential of less mobility, a larger headset, and the possibility that they might fall off, which can leave your ears exposed for a long time. Earplugs can fall out as well. However, it is more likely that custom-fit earplugs will stay sealed in the ear comfortably for as long as you want to wear them.
2. How can you tell when a noise is dangerous?
When you need to raise your voice to be heard over the noise, you are probably being exposed to a dangerous noise level. Do whatever you can to get out of danger, or if possible, cover your ears until the noise is gone.
3. How can I keep my ears protected from loud noise?
Protection against various situations is offered by earplugs that seal tightly and fit snugly inside your ear canal. The Hearing Doctor offers custom-fit hearing protection that can keep your ears protected from dangerous noise levels but still allow you to continue enjoying your favourite activities.
4. How long can I be exposed to loud sounds before my hearing is affected?
Allowable noise exposure levels can vary. One thing to be aware of is that hearing loss is a cumulative condition, which means that your hearing health is more likely to be better the less time that you are exposed to loud sounds in your life. Sounds start to damage hearing at 85 dB, with the permissible continuous time period around eight hours. For every 3dB noise pressure increase, the exposure time permissible before hearing damage is reduced by fifty percent. Therefore, permissible exposure to 94 dB is one hour, to 91 dB is two hours, and to 88 dB is four hours.
5. I have been exposed to loud sounds, and my ears hurt. What can I do about it?
Do whatever you possibly can to immediately get away from the noise. If noise is causing you pain, then it is likely that your hearing is being damaged. Typically, noises that are loud enough that they cause pain are also usually loud enough for permanent hearing damage to be caused almost immediately, Consult with a medical professional if your pain persists.