Today, nearly one in two people over the age of 50 have difficulty understanding what people say when it is noisy. That number is likely to increase in the near future, with younger people exposed to loud music and other noisy environments more than previous generations.
The good news is that hearing loss isn’t inevitable - there are things you can do to protect your hearing.
Loud or constant noise harms your hearing
The human auditory system contains delicate and complex mechanisms. The inner ear is home to a sea of tiny sensory cells and nerve fibres that pick up sound vibrations and turn them into electrical impulses for the brain to process.
Too many strong vibrations will damage these cells and fibres. Broken cells and fibres cannot heal themselves, so any damage will be permanent. This can lead to noise-induced hearing loss and/or tinnitus.
How loud is loud?
The intensity of sound is measured in decibel sound pressure level (dB SPL). A soft whisper might be no higher than 30 dB SPL, while a firecracker might be as loud as 150 dB SPL. Sounds are generally considered harmful when they exceed 85 dB SPL, which is about the loudness of heavy traffic.
One night out can cause permanent damage. At most rock concerts you can expect sound levels to exceed 100 dB SPL. Pop concerts, dance parties and nightclubs also increase the risk of hearing damage, with loud music played constantly for hours on end.
If you are surrounded by noise – whether it’s from construction, engineering, manufacturing, teaching, music or dentistry – you can reduce the risks by using earplugs or other hearing protection devices.
Did you know...
At work, your employer should protect you from excessive noise. This includes taking measures designed to reduce the risk of hearing loss and tinnitus.
Tips to protect your hearing:
- Wear ear protection
- Rest your ears frequently in noisy environments
- If you use an MP3 music player:
- Use your music player for only 60 minutes per day
- Set your volume level at 60% of the maximum level
- Use cushioned earphones rather than small ear-buds
Earplugs for all occasions
Disposable earplugs
Crafted in expandable foam or silicone, and available from any pharmacy, disposable earplugs come in one size that fits most ears.
Reusable plugs
Made of rubber or silicon, reusable plugs are often cone-shaped with a safety cord. They can be cleaned with warm soapy water and worn safely for months. Once they become hard or damaged they need to be replaced.
Earmuffs
Resembling stereo headphones, these cushioned earmuffs are available from sporting goods or safety equipment stores. Worn alone they should tightly cover your ears, but they can also be combined with earplugs in extremely noisy situations.
Custom-made earplugs
Also called ‘musician’s earplugs’, these handcrafted ear-moulds sound more natural because they attenuate all sounds to the same degree. Call your local AudioClinc for more information.
Have your hearing checked regularly
If you are working in a noisy workplace you should have your hearing checked every year. If you are worried about your hearing you should consult one of our professional Hearing Care clinicians.
Click here to book your FREE consultation.
