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What are some common causes of hearing loss?
Hearing loss as a result of aging—Hearing loss as a result of noise—Hearing loss as a result of medications
Hearing loss as a result of noise
Another reason for hearing loss may be exposure to too much loud noise. Many construction workers, farmers, musicians, airport workers, tree cutters, and people in the armed forces have hearing loss because of this problem.
Noise is not a new hazard. As early as the 1500s, it was noted that those who fired cannons suffered from the noise. Too much noise exposure may cause a temporary change in hearing (your ears may feel stuffed up) or a temporary ringing in your ears (tinnitus).
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), there are three things to consider about noise:
- How loud
- How long
- How close
The NIDCD wants you to know that an extreme noise — like a firecracker on the Fourth of July — experienced at close range, can damage hearing permanently in an instant. Repeated exposure to engines and machines like motorcycles or chain saws can erode hearing more slowly, but the result is the same — irreversible hearing loss. The NIDCD urges you to carry earplugs or other devices to protect your ears so that they last a lifetime.
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The Noise Meter
Play around with the Noise Meter and hear the different sounds and sound intensities of everyday objects. The red bar below shows how long it takes before a particular sound level becomes dangerous to the human ear. For example, a chain saw has a sound intensity of about 110 dB. Without proper hearing protection, running a chain saw for as few as two minutes can become dangerous to the human ear. As a general rule, if the noise is loud enough that one needs to shout to be heard, it is potentially dangerous.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | |
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Please also visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for information about proper hearing protection you may wish to consider if you are exposed to noise on a regular basis.
Adapted from: "Hearing Loss and Older Adults," February 2002 — National Institutes of Health; "Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention," — Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; and "Wise Ears!® Tips: Hearing Matters — Protect it," June 2004 — National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
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