NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS: COMMON CAUSES OR ACTIVITIES THAT TRIGGER IT

We enjoy listening to music on radio or media streaming. We love to hear rhythmic sounds, and we like watching TV. But how do we know that these lovely and happy sounds that we are listening to, are safe and would not damage our hearing? Can listening to our favourite tunes actually damage our hearing?

Sounds can be harmful when they are too loud (explosions / gunshot). But relatively loud sounds can also be a danger to our hearing if our ears are exposed to these repetitive sounds for a long period of time. Constant exposure to loud sounds can cause damage to hair cells in the inner ears, and cause permanent hearing loss. This… is called noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).

In order to understand noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), we need to know what is a safe sound. Sounds that we hear in our daily life is measured in unit of decibels (dB). Sounds at or below 70 dBA, even after long exposure, are unlikely to cause hearing loss. However, long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss. The louder the sound, the shorter the amount of time it takes for NIHL to happen. The examples of different sound levels are shown in the pictograph, to help us understand sound intensities.

When you are exposed to loud noise over a long period of time, you may slowly start to lose your hearing. Because the damage from noise exposure is usually gradual, you might not notice it, or you might ignore the signs of hearing loss until they become more pronounced. Over time, sounds may become distorted or muffled, and you might find it difficult to understand other people when they talk, or you have to turn up the volume on the television.

So, what can lead to noise-induced hearing loss?

Here are some of activities that may lead to hearing loss, if not now, later on in your life.

1.      Listening to music (using the earphones) at maximum volume.

2.      Very loud music during your zumba or dance classes.

3.      Rock concerts and movie theaters.

4.      Motorised sporting events. Think Formula 1, and the Grand Prix.

5.      Occupation and recreational shootings.

6.      Very loud household activities, i.e. lawn mowing, and woodworking tools.

Noise-induced hearing loss can easily happen to anyone of us. The simplest way to avoid NIHL is, remove excessive noises from your life. But if you cannot do so, by virtue of working at a noisy workplace, or in occupations like the army and police, do take measure to protect your hearing by using the noise-protection earplugs or earmuffs.

Keep your hearing safe!

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InnoHear Hotline: +6017 638 7247