Unfortunately, noise-induced hearing loss is all too common. If you’re continually around noise exceeding 85 decibels, your hearing could be irreversibly damaged.
What is noise-induced hearing loss, what causes it, and can it be successfully treated? If you believe you have noise-induced hearing loss, we’ll give you the facts and tell you how to identify and treat your hearing loss. Prolonged exposure to loud noises or sudden excessive noise like an explosion causes noise-induced hearing loss.
While over 17% of people between 20 and 69 have hearing loss caused by their recreational or work activities, the good news is that noise-induced hearing loss is something you can prevent!
What Causes Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?
Unless you work in a library, you will experience plenty of sound throughout your day, and usually, that will not be an issue. It’s when sudden or sustained noises become harmful that hearing loss can occur. The sensitive hair cells, eardrums, and bones of the ear can be damaged with noise-induced hearing loss once the 85-decibel threshold is broached.
So what does that mean, and what are decibels? Decibels are the units of measure for sound. Technically, these units are called A-weighted decibels, or dBA for short. Our ears react well to sounds at or below 70 dBA. Extended exposure to sounds at this level isn’t harmful and is unlikely to affect your hearing. Once the decibels get to 85 or above, that’s when the problems can begin.
Either a sudden loud noise above 85 dBA or a lesser sustained noise can cause hearing loss. A great rule of thumb is the louder the sound, the less time it takes for noise-induced hearing loss. For reference, here are some sounds we encounter often and their average decibel range:
- One-on-one conversation– 60-70 dBA
- Movie theater sound– 74-104 dBA
- Motorcycles and off-road bikes– 80-110 dBA
- Concerts, sporting events, or AirPods at high volume– 94-110 dBA
- Emergency sirens or jackhammer-110-129 dBA
- Fireworks or airliner taking off– 140-160 dBA
Depending on the circumstance, noise-induced hearing loss can happen immediately when exposed to sounds above 140 dBA, or can take longer to develop. In extreme cases, both ears can be affected at the same time. Even if the decibels are lower, prolonged exposure unprotected may cause hearing loss.
Noise-induced Hearing Loss Symptoms
A person with sudden noise-induced hearing loss should seek medical attention immediately. More commonly, NIHL develops over time because of consistent exposure to loud noise. The slow development may be harder to recognize, but there are symptoms you can look out for. Here are some examples:
- Hard time understanding words when there is background noise.
- When spoken to, it sounds like mumbling.
- Consonants become hard to understand.
- Problems hearing quiet voices.
- Frequently asking people to speak louder or more clearly.
- Cranking up the volume on devices
- Shying away from a conversation.
A ringing or buzzing in the ears is called tinnitus and can also be a sign of noise-induced hearing loss. This is treatable, so make an appointment to come in and see one of our hearing professionals at Hearing Associates of Las Vegas if tinnitus is bothering you.
Can It Be Reversed?
The simple and unfortunate answer is no. Permanent damage to the workings of the inner ear can not be reversed. The tiny hair cells which transmit the sound waves to your brain do not regenerate. Healing can occur to some degree, but not enough to restore your hearing before the noise-induced hearing loss event. That said, this type of damage can be assisted.
Treatments involve helping patients maximize their remaining hearing. This is done through hearing aids or assisted living devices. Hearing aids are widely used wearable sound amplifiers. The assisted living devices are different in that you find them near the source being amplified. For example, some churches offer these listening devices in their pews for parishioners to better hear services—each with their own volume control.
Safeguarding Against Further Hearing Loss
Since there is no cure for this condition yet, it makes protecting your remaining hearing paramount. While researchers look for ways to restore noise-induced hearing loss, you can safeguard against further damage.
Here are some tips to help protect your hearing:
- Avoid noisy places when at all possible.
- If you cannot avoid the noise, use appropriate hearing protection like earmuffs or earplugs. This may be for a work environment or even for concerts.
- Schedule routine hearing tests to track your hearing loss.
- Use hearing aids to make up for your hearing loss.
Another option for aiding in hearing is sound masking. This technology adds ambient background sound to help mask distracting noises and a more fluid and comfortable environment. It’s essentially a baseline layer of sound to help limit noise and increase concentration.
Since loud noises can cause permanent damage to your hearing, it’s essential to take it seriously and protect your hearing at all times.
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