Some helpful information...
Even short term exposure to loud noise can permanently damage your hearing. I offer the best in custom and universal-fit hearing protection products to help reduce the danger from working and playing in noisy environments. I value your hearing as much as you do.
The ear is a very sophisticated receiver and transmitter of sound from the outside world to the brain. To achieve the hearing process, the ear gathers physical vibrations and turns them into electrical signals in a very unique and complex operation.
Leading Causes in Hearing Loss
- In Adults
- Excessive noise exposure
- Presbycusis - the aging process
- Tumors and other space occupying lesions
- Vascular and circulatory disorders
- Heredity
- In Children
- Middle Ear Problems - before the age of six 90% of all children in the U.S. will suffer from otitis media (middle ear infection)
- Congenital - craniofacial anomalies, family history of hearing loss, congenital infections
- Other - bacterial meningitis, head trauma, ototoxic medications, and childhood infectious diseases (mumps, measles)
Types of hearing loss
Hearing loss is defined as either conductive or sensorineural.
- Conductive - When sound cannot reach the inner ear through normal air conduction channels, the hearing loss is considered to be conductive. Conductive hearing loss is often responsive to medical or surgical treatment. Some possible causes of conductive hearing loss are impacted cerumen (earwax), perforated eardrum, or fluid in the middle ear.
- Sensorineural - This type of hearing loss results from disease or damage in the cochlea (inner ear) or along the nerve pathway from the inner ear to the brain. This type of hearing loss is permanent. One of the most common types of hearing loss in adults is sensorineural, as a result of aging and/or noise exposure.
- 28 million people in the United States are affected by hearing loss in one or both ears. With the incidence of noise induced hearing loss occurring at younger and younger ages, it is important to understand how a noise induced hearing loss occurs, and what you can do to prevent it.
How loud is too loud?
Both the amount of noise and the length of time you are exposed to it determine its potential to damage your hearing. Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB). The higher the decibel level the louder the noise. Standards set by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) indicate that continued exposure of unprotected ears to noise over 85 dB will cause a gradual hearing loss in a significant number of individuals. Louder noises will accelerate this damage. The allowed exposure time decreases by ONE - HALF for each 5 dB increase in the average noise level.
Are you at risk?
Noise induced hearing loss typically occurs gradually and without pain. Often by the time a person realizes that there may be a problem, it is too late. But there are early warning signs. If you experience any of the following symptoms, have your hearing tested by a Hearing Health Care Professional:
- A ringing or buzzing (tinnitus) in the ear immediately after exposure to noise.
- A slight muffling of sounds after exposure, making it difficult to understand people after you leave a noisy area.
- Difficulty understanding speech; that is, you can hear all the words, but you can't understand all of them.
Be aware of the warning signs for hearing loss. If you have control of the volume, turn it down; if you don't, wear hearing protection. There are many options available today to meet specific needs and uses for hearing protection; from products designed to give as much ambient noise protection as possible, to hearing protection devices designed specifically for performing musicians. Twenty years ago no one wore bicycle helmets, now it's rare when you see someone riding without one. Concrete hasn't gotten harder in the last two decades, people have become much more educated about the risks involved and the dangers they face should they be involved in an accident. It's a noisy world out there. With the information and resources available today, positive steps can be taken to reduce the occurrence of noise induced hearing loss.
Some helpful links...
These are some links that will help you get more information about hearing, hearing loss and prevention