Loud Noise Exposure Can Cause Significant Hearing Loss Early In Life

It does not take long term exposure to loud noise to permanently damage hearing.  The amount of damage done to the structure of the ear depends on the level of noise and how long the ear is exposed to the noise.  Any noise louder than 100 decibels can begin to permanently damage hearing after only a few exposures.  Some events that range in the 100 plus decibels include rock concerts, close range gunfire, loud headphones and loud power tools.  Normal levels of noise, under 85 decibels, can be sustained for longer periods of time without permanent damage.  

It is sometimes difficult to tell if a situation is loud enough to be hazardous to your hearing; not everyone walks around with a decibel meter on their person.  There are a few easy ways to tell if a situation is too loud for your ears.  If you cannot understand what the person next to you is saying or if you have to yell for others to hear you, you are in a hazardous noise situation.  Headphones are another serious hazard to hearing if they are used at a volume so high others can identify the music playing.

Excessive exposure to loud noise can be avoided and controlled.  If you are aware you are going to be entering a situation that is hazardous to your hearing, ear plugs are an inexpensive method to protect your ears from damage.  Another easy way to protect your hearing is to listen to the headphones with the volume loud enough for you to hear, but not loud enough for others to hear.

If steps are not taken to protect your hearing from loud noise exposure, you could encounter serious hearing problems later in life.  Unfortunately, hearing damage is not always easily identified.  There may be a ringing in the ears after the noise exposure, but this may go away and leave you thinking your hearing is completely back to normal.  If there is permanent damage to your hearing after the noise exposure, you should consult your hearing professional for a hearing diagnosis test.  The sooner any hearing loss is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can be given, including the effective use of hearing aids to compensate for permanent hearing damage.

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