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Have you noticed yourself constantly asking people to repeat things? Do you turn up the volume on the television when others are happier at lower volumes? If so, it is important that you get your ears checked for hearing loss. Hearing loss is commonly associated with aging, but can affect anyone at any age. Initially, it may not be noticeable as loss of hearing can happen gradually over a period of time. One in 10 Americans has a hearing loss that affects his or her ability to understand normal speech. Age-related hearing loss is the most common cause of this condition and is more prevalent than hearing loss caused by excessive noise exposure. However, exposure to excessive noise can damage your hearing. It is important to understand the effects of excessive noise, particularly because such exposure is avoidable. Loud Noise Leads to Hearing Loss The ear has three main parts: the outer, middle, and inner ear. The outer ear opens into the ear canal. The eardrum separates the ear canal from the middle ear and small bones in the middle ear help transfer sound vibrations to the inner ear. In the inner ear, the vibrations become nerve impulses, which the brain interprets as music, a slamming door, a voice, and so on. When noise is too loud, it begins to kill the nerve endings in the inner ear. Prolonged exposure to loud noise destroys nerve endings and as the number of nerve endings decreases, so does your hearing. Once your nerve endings are dead, the damage is permanent. The longer you expose yourself to a loud noise, the more damaging it may be. In addition, the closer you are to the source of the noise, the more damaging it will be as well. Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB). The higher the decibel level, the louder the noise. Sounds that are louder than 85 dB can cause permanent hearing loss. Your hearing system can be injured not only by a loud blast or explosion, but also by prolonged exposure to high noise levels. If you are listening to dangerous noise levels, you might do the following: • Raise your voice to be heard
• Can't hear someone three feet away from you
• Speech around you sounds muffled or dull after you leave the noisy area
• You have pain or ringing in your ears after exposure to noise Dealing with noise and its effects on your hearing is a personal responsibility. The first rule is to avoid loud noise whenever possible. If you must shout to be heard, chances are your ears are at risk for damage. Protecting your Ears Wear hearing protectors, especially if you must work in an excessively noisy environment. You should also wear them when using power tools, noisy yard equipment, firearms, riding a motorcycle or snowmobile. Hearing protectors include earplugs, and earmuffs. Using hearing protectors will not reduce a worker's ability to hear the noises that signify an improperly functioning machine or when someone is talking to them. Just as sunglasses help vision in bright light, hearing protectors can enhance speech understanding in very loud places. Hearing loss usually develops over a period of several years. Since it is painless and gradual, you might not even notice it. What you might notice is a ringing or other sound in your ear, which could be the result of long-term exposure to noise that, has damaged hearing nerves. It is important that you visit your local ENT in Norwalk or Westport for hearing protection and diagnosis. Protect your ears and enjoy the sounds around you.
Sean Hartmen writes for leading Westport ear, nose and throat doctor, Dr. Andrew Parker. Dr. Parker is a board certified otolaryngologist and completed his residency at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, the oldest specialty hospital in the United States. Dr. Parker and his staff of licensed audiologists and a physician associate treat all Ear, Nose and Throat maladies including Westport snoring and tinnitus.
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