How to Protect Your Hearing: Tips on how you can best preserve your hearing
Your Hearing is Precious
Throughout our lives we are bombarded with a steady stream of sound – in schools, at home, at work and out and about. Sometimes these sounds get so loud that they begin to damage our hearing.
Today, around 40% of people over the age of 50 have a hearing loss1, and that number is likely to increase in the future.
Young people are at risk of losing their hearing faster than previous generations due to more exposure to loud music and noisy environments.
Our hearing helps us get educated, find jobs, build families and lasting friendships, which is why it is worth taking care of. This brochure tells you what you can do to protect this precious sense.
Noise at Work and At Home
We rarely think about it, but daily exposure to excessive noise is the primary cause of many cases of hearing loss in the working population. The degree of loss will depend on the level of noise and duration of exposure.
If you are surrounded by noise – whether it’s construction, engineering, teaching or dentistry – you can reduce the risks by using earplugs or other hearing protection devices.
If your ears are not getting bombarded at work they might well be under pressure at home. Be aware that lawncare equipment, power tools and even the repeated “crack” of a simple hammer can put your hearing at risk.
As a community of miners here in Esterhazy, we’re no stranger to hearing loss. Working with those heavy machines in an inclosed space is horrible on your ear drums, and while they’ve known that for years, they still sent people down there with no custom ear protection. Most of those people suffered some form of hearing loss in the end. Now we are here, your local audiology clinic to do our very best to get you back to perfect hearing health, or treat whatever we can’t heal with a mixture of options. Only one of those options is a hearing aid, so if you’re experiencing some hearing issues please come and see us as soon as possible so we can stop any damage before it spreads!
What Constitutes Loud Noise?
The intensity of sound is measured in decibel sound pressure level (dB SPL). A soft whisper might be no higher than 30 dB SPL, while a firecracker might be as loud as 150 dB SPL.
Sounds are considered harmful when they exceed 85 dB SPL, which is about the loudness of heavy traffic. But at nightclubs and rock concerts, sound levels soar to more than 100 dB SPL.
Over time this can lead to hearing loss and tinnitus (a permanent ringing or buzzing in the ears).
Noise can be harmful virtually anywhere. The blast of a gun or fireworks can cause instant impairment, whereas the steady drone of heavy machinery can do damage in the long run. In most cases this happens gradually, so you still have time to care about your hearing and learn to protect it!
When is it Time to React?
If there is too much noise, this is how you will experience it:
- You cannot hear someone talking even though they are within an arm’s length
- You hear loud sounds as unclear even though there is no noise in the area
- Your ears hurt after leaving a noisy environment
- You hear ringing or buzzing in your ears during or immediately after exposure to loud noise
- After exposure to noise, you can hear people talking but you cannot understand them
Things to Watch Out for During Leisure Time
Like many others, you probably enjoy a good action film at your local cinema. But up to 2½ hours of explosions, car chases and gunfire at the staggering volume levels produced by today’s audio systems can eventually damage your hearing. So when- ever those levels start to rocket, be prepared to put your fingers in your ears! It’s recommended that you talk to the cinema manager to reduce the volume.
One night out is all it takes. At pop concerts and discos, loud music is played constantly for hours on end, thereby increasing the risk of hearing damage. At most rock concerts you can expect sound levels to exceed 100 dB SPL, which is why earplugs are highly recommended.
Hunting will also be hazardous because hunters often forget to wear ear protection. Just like sirens and loud whistles, the sudden sound of gunshot might easily cause immediate and lasting damage.
Some Good Tips
- Stand away from the speakers and always wear ear protection – even if it is slightly uncomfortable, or people tell you that it looks awkward or is totally
- In noisy environments try to rest your ears as frequently as possible
- If the person beside you can hear the music from your headphones, your volume is too loud! For the sake of your ears, turn it down!
- Use cushioned earphones rather than small earbuds.
Earplugs for All Occasions
Ear protectors come in all shapes and sizes. Even though they might feel strange at first, getting used to wearing them does not take long.
Reusable Plugs
Made of rubber or silicon, reusable plugs are often cone-shaped, with a safety cord. They can be cleaned with warm soapy water and worn safely for months, but as soon as they become hard or damaged they should be replaced.
If you have been exposed to loud noise and are worried about your hearing, you should call your doctor for a referral to a hearing care professional. Within one hour they will be able to perform a completely painless hearing test that will reveal whether there is any real cause for concern.
Disposable Plugs
Crafted in expandable foam or silicone, and available from any pharmacy, disposable earplugs come in one size that fits most ears.
Custom-Fit Earplugs
Also called “musician’s earplugs”, these hand- crafted earmoulds sound more natural because they attenuate all sounds to the same degree. If you are in frequent need of protection, these are the best option. Ask your local hearing care professional for more information.
Earmuffs
Resembling stereo headphones, these cush- ioned earmuffs are available from sporting goods, safety equipment stores or Do-It-Your- self retailers. Worn alone they should tightly cover your ears, but they can also be combined with earplugs in extremely noisy situations.
If You Are Worried About Your Hearing
If you have been exposed to loud noise and are worried about your hearing, you should call your doctor for a referral to a hearing care professional. Within one hour they will be able to perform a completely painless hearing test that will reveal whether there is any real cause for concern.
Get Regular Check-ups
lf your workplace is very noisy you should get your hearing checked at least once yearly. Your hearing care professional can then compare the results to determine whether any changes have occurred.
If you are concerened about your hearing health, contact us today to book a hearing assessment!