Can Exposure to Loud Noises Result in Hearing Loss?

Did you know that you could be at risk for hearing loss and not even know it? When exposed to loud noises, such as the roar of the crowd at athletic games, music concerts, or when working in noisy environments, there is a serious risk of hearing loss. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that prolonged exposure to levels over 80 decibels can have an impact on your hearing. And noises at 100 decibels? They have the power to affect your hearing immediately.

You’re not alone if you’re wondering what those noise levels mean. Common noises that often range between 80 and 100 decibels are gas-powered lawnmowers or the motorcycle that roars down your street. Even more detrimental are sporting events, fireworks, sirens, and boosting your television or other electronic devices up to the maximum level. Each of these is 100 decibels or more. Continue reading to learn more about hearing loss, particularly noise-induced hearing loss, raising awareness, and more.

How Is Hearing Loss Defined?

Hearing loss is a partial or total reduction of the capacity to perceive sounds. It can range from mild to severe, and it can affect one or both ears. Your quality of life as a whole can be substantially impacted by hearing loss, as can communication and social relationships. With prolonged exposure to noise levels at 80 decibels, the CDC has stated that the possibility of hearing loss begins gradually after two hours of exposure. So while your once-a-week mowing might not seem to affect you, consider how loud your work environment is in addition to that, or the volume of the video games you might play with your friends.

The maximum level of television or frequent visits to loud venues such as bars with live entertainment or concerts increases the possibility of your hearing loss after just five minutes. The fact of the matter is that you’re conditioned to these noises and might not understand just how loud and damaging they can truly be. After a while, you might even start to feel a ringing in your ear, known as tinnitus. When this occurs, it is a sign to seek a hearing assessment, as tinnitus can be a sign of more permanent hearing loss.

Why Is Noise Exposure A Common Contributor to Hearing Loss?

Many workers are subjected to loud noises on a regular basis, including those working in construction, manufacturing, aviation, and entertainment. Prolonged exposure to these loud situations can cause noise-induced hearing loss, also known as NIHL. 

Construction workers, for instance, are subjected to loud noise levels that can reach 100 decibels while using heavy equipment or power instruments like jackhammers, drills, or chainsaws. Similarly to this, employees may be exposed to harmful sound levels over an extended period of time in industrial facilities with noisy machinery or factories with continual background noise. As mentioned above, even sporting events can reach levels that cause hearing loss. This is due to the loud buzzers, music, and the collective noise of the crowd.

To completely understand why noise is a common contributor to hearing loss, it’s important to understand what noise-induced hearing loss truly is.

What Is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?

To review noise-induced hearing loss happens when someone is exposed to loud sounds for a long time or repeatedly or when they hear one very loud noise. It is one of the most common causes of hearing loss, and people of all ages are at risk of developing this type of hearing loss.

The science behind it explains that loud noise can hurt your ears’ sensitive hair cells, known as cochlear hair cells. You have two sets of these cells on both the inner and outer ears. The inner cells turn sound vibrations into electrical messages that are sent to the brain. How bad the damage is depends on how loud the noise is and how long it lasts. Over time, being exposed to noise over and over again can cause permanent hearing damage.

Noise-induced hearing loss can show up in different ways, but the most common ones are trouble hearing certain frequencies or words, a feeling that sounds are muffled or distorted, tinnitus, and trouble hearing in noisy places.

Most of the time, hearing loss caused by noise is permanent. Inner ear hair cells that are destroyed can’t grow back or fix themselves, so hearing loss is usually permanent. If you think you might have hearing loss, you should see an audiologist to obtain a proper diagnosis and advice on how to treat it.

What Influences Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?

Noise-induced hearing loss is influenced by a number of factors, including exposure time and noise intensity, as mentioned above. Another factor is you. Some people may be more prone to hearing loss due to noise. The possibility of your hearing loss can be influenced by variables like heredity, age, general health, and prior exposure to loud noises.

Bringing Awareness of and Preventing Hearing Loss

The possible dangers of exposure to noise in these situations need to be discussed more openly. Many people might not be aware of the long-term cumulative harm that prolonged exposure to loud noises can cause. By raising awareness, they can appropriately safeguard their hearing and reduce the likelihood of hearing loss.

Noise exposure can be considerably lessened with preventative measures like wearing earplugs or earmuffs for hearing protection. These items serve as a barrier, lowering the sound volume reaching the inner ear and safeguarding the sensitive hair cells from harm. In addition, engineering controls and noise reduction techniques can also contribute to safer conditions in workplaces and public spaces. This may entail utilizing quieter equipment, installing soundproofing measures, or upholding proper noise exposure restrictions.

Treating hearing loss requires early detection and management. By raising awareness, people may be more inclined to seek expert assistance at the first indications of hearing issues, resulting in prompt interventions and better results. 

Don’t Delay If You Have Concerns About Your Hearing

It’s crucial to remember that noise-induced hearing loss can be avoided. You can prevent hearing loss by utilizing hearing protection devices, keeping appropriate listening levels, and avoiding noisy places wherever feasible by being aware of the risks. You can also encourage your family members and friends to also take precautions. Additionally, if you’re concerned about hearing loss, you can talk with one of our qualified team members at Hearing Associates of Las Vegas about your risk factors or receive an evaluation of the current state of your hearing.