Did you know that people of all ages can develop noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)? Hearing loss from too much noise can happen in an instant or build over time. Unfortunately, these occurrences cannot be fixed. October is National Protect Your Hearing Month, and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) encourages everyone to learn about NIHL, a preventable type of hearing loss, and how you can protect your hearing.
Every day, we experience a variety of sounds from our environment, such as the sounds from television and radio, household appliances and traffic. Normally, these sounds are at safe levels that do not damage our hearing. They can be harmful when they are too loud, even for a brief time, or when they are both loud and long-lasting. These sounds can damage sensitive structures in the inner ear and cause NIHL.
NIHL can be immediate, or it can take a long time to be noticeable. It can be temporary or permanent, and can affect one or both ears. Even if you cannot tell that you are damaging your hearing, you could have trouble hearing in the future, such as not being able to understand other people when they talk, especially on the phone or in a noisy room. Regardless of how it might affect you, one thing is certain: Noise-induced hearing loss is something you can prevent.
One-time exposure to an intense “impulse” sound can cause NIHL. These instances can occur through an explosion, or by continuous exposure to loud sounds over an extended period of time, such as noise generated in a woodworking shop. Recreational activities that can put you at risk for NIHL include target shooting and hunting, snowmobile riding, listening to MP3 players at high volume through earbuds or headphones, playing in a band and attending loud concerts. Harmful noises at home may come from sources including lawnmowers, leaf blowers and woodworking tools.
Sound is measured in units called decibels. Sounds under 75 decibels, even after long exposure, are unlikely to cause hearing loss. However, long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 decibels can cause hearing loss. The louder the sound, the shorter the amount of time it takes for NIHL to happen.
Here are the average decibel ratings of some familiar sounds:
• The humming of a refrigerator can measure up to 45 decibels.
• Normal conversation can measure up to 60 decibels.
• Noise from heavy traffic can measure up to 85 decibels.
• An MP3 player at maximum volume can measure up to 105 decibels.
• Firecrackers and firearms can measure up to 150 decibels.
A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with support from the NIDCD, shows based on certain features of their hearing test results, at least 10 million adults in the U.S. under the age of 70 may have hearing loss from noise in one or both ears. The good news is you can take steps to protect your hearing:
• Move away from the noise. If you can’t lower the volume, put some distance between you and the source.
• Lower the volume. Know which noises can cause damage, such as listening through headphones at high volumes.
• Wear hearing protectors, such as earplugs or earmuffs, when involved in a loud activity. Activity-specific earplugs and earmuffs are available at hardware and sporting goods stores.
• Protect the ears of children who are too young to protect their own.
• Tell family, friends and colleagues about noise hazards.
NIDCD supports research on the causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of hearing loss. NIDCD-supported researchers have helped to identify some of the many genes important for hair-cell development and function and are using this knowledge to explore new treatments for hearing loss.
For more information, visit www.nidcd.nih.gov or call (301) 827-8183.