Do you enjoy listening to live music? Do you use power tools or are you around loud equipment? Many people do not realize that exposure to loud sounds can damage hearing. What are some recreational activities that involve loud and potentially hazardous sounds? Some include playing in a music band, cooking with food processors/blenders, doing yard work with lawn mowers/saws, playing with certain children’s toys, going to sporting events, even riding off road vehicles. Hearing loss is measured in decibels (dB), a logarithmic scale.
Here is a chart to give you an idea of the intensity of different sounds.
0dB= Quietest sound you can hear
30dB= Whispers
60dB= Normal conversation
80dB=Alarm clock
90dB= Hair dryers, Food Processors, Lawnmower
100dB= Chainsaw
110dB= Rock concerts, car racing
120dB= Jet planes taking off
130dB= Sirens, ambulances
140dB= Firecrackers
(www.asha.org)
Permanent damage to your hearing can occur by either a one-time exposure to a loud sound or by hearing a loud noise or sound over extended periods of time. When noise is the primary cause of hearing loss it is termed noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) which is damage to our cilia (hair cells) that are located in the cochlea or inner ear. These sensory cells process and transfer sound to the brain. Once these tiny hair cells are damaged, they can no longer grow back, resulting in hearing loss. (https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss).
Important factors to keep in mind when you are around loud sounds are the intensity of the sound, duration of the sound and how close you are to the sound source. You put yourself at a quicker risk of NIHL, the louder the sound is, the longer you are in that situation and the closer you are to the noise. Sounds that are over 85dB are hazardous to your hearing.
It is very important to protect your hearing. There are many ways to protect your hearing: turn down the volume, take 10 minute breaks while enjoying a live concert or sporting events, avoid very loud environments, move away from the sound source, spread awareness, and wear ear protection. Contact your Audiologist if you suspect any sudden or gradual changes in hearing. (www.asha.org)
