Does
Noise Cause Hearing Loss?
Yes. If you
experience any or all of the following: a one-time exposure to extremely loud noise,
repeated or long exposure to loud noise, extended exposure to moderate noise
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How Does
Noise Cause Hearing Loss?
Your ear receives
sound waves and sends them through a delicately balanced system to the brain. Part of this
remarkable system is a chamber in the inner ear filed with fluid and lined with thousands
of tiny hair cells. The hair cells signal the auditory nerve to send electrical impulses
to the brain. The brain interprets these impulses as sound. When you are exposed to loud
or prolonged noise, the hair cells are damaged and the transmission of sound is
permanently altered.
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Am I
Exposed To Damaging Noise?
Today, over 20
million people in the United States are exposed to environmental noise that can damage
hearing. If you use stereo headsets, operate power tools for yard work, have a long daily
commute in heavy traffic, or use a number of household appliances, you too may be exposed
to potentially damaging noise. Many people are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work,
including: firefighters, military personnel, disc jockeys, construction workers, farmers,
industrial arts teachers, computer operators, factory workers, as well as cab, truck, and
bus drivers, to name a few. Exposure to damaging noise does not come only from the
workplace. Recreational activities such as hunting, motorboating/water-skiing,
snowmobiling, motorcycling, and exposure to rock music or the use of stereo headsets, also
expose you to hazardous noise. Contact us for more information.
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What Is
A Dangerous Noise Level?
Both the amount of
noise and the length of time you are exposed to the noise determine its ability to damage
your hearing. Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB). The higher the decibel level,
the louder the noise. Sounds louder than 80 decibels are considered potentially hazardous.
The noise chart below gives an idea of average decibel levels for everyday sounds around
you.
Painful:
140 dB = firearms, air raid siren
130 dB = jackhammer
120 dB = jet plane takeoff
Extremely Loud:
110 dB = rock music
100 dB = snowmobile, chain saw
90 dB = lawnmower
Very Loud:
80 dB = alarm clock
70 dB = busy traffic, vacuum cleaner
60 dB = conversation, dishwasher
Moderate:
50 dB = moderate rainfall
40 dB = quiet room
Faint:
30 dB = whisper
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What
Are Warning Signs That Noises Around Me Are Too Loud?
You have to raise
your voice to be heard.
You can't hear
someone two feet away from you.
Speech around you
sounds muffled or dull after leaving a noisy area.
You have pain or
ringing in your ears after exposure to noise.
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What Can
I Do To Protect Myself?
First, avoid loud
noise whenever possible. If you cannot avoid exposure to noise:
Wear hearing
protectors: ear plugs or earmuffs (you can probably get them from your drug store,
hardware, or sporting goods store). Using cotton in your ears does not work. When using
hearing protectors, you can still hear and understand voices and other sounds with ease. Contact us for more information.
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Have your
hearing tested by an audiologist?
Limit periods of
exposure to noise; for example, if you are at a rock concert, walk out for a while -- give
your ears a break.
Be aware of the
noise in your environment and take control of it when you can.
Your county may have
a local noise ordinance. Find out what you can do in your community to advocate for quiet.
For example, some high schools have set a decibel limit for the music played at school
dances to protect the students' hearing. An audiologist can measure sound levels at a
specific location and make recommendations for keeping sound levels safe.
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What
Resources Are Available To Me If I Think I Have A Hearing Problem?
For an evaluation of
hearing abilities, an audiologist should be contacted. When hearing loss is the result of
current disease, or if a medical problem is suspected, a physician should be seen. The
audiologist you select should be licensed by the state of NJ and hold a Certificate of
Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Contact us for more information.
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