9 Facts About Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

The ripple effect of hearing loss on your life and the life of your loved ones is serious, which is why it’s important to be aware of potential ways that you can lose your hearing.

1. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the only preventable form of hearing loss. It is also one of the largest global public health crises that are rarely talked about. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) says 1 out of every 5 U.S. teens between the ages of 12-19, have hearing loss that was probably caused by exposure to loud noise. 
2. The WHO has labeled hearing loss as a global health crisis, where 1.1 billion youth are at risk of loud noise exposure from their personal listening devices.
3. Protect your hearing health. Experts from the WHO recommend decreasing the volume on personal listening devices to 60% of the volume or lower. Take a break from listening every hour. Wear earplugs in noisy environments, whether it’s at a loud sports bar or while operating heavy machinery.
4. Hearing loss that goes untreated can lead to serious health problems. Brain or heart damage can occur; mental health issues such as depression can lead to poor quality of sleep or even cognitive decline. Untreated hearing loss can harm school/work performance, which can negatively impact your income. 
5. You can end up with a hearing loss after a one-time exposure to a loud sound - like being near speakers at a concert - or from exposure to loud noises over a long period. Be aware of your surroundings. Make sure you have earplugs on hand or move away from the source of the noise. 
6. Hearing damage accumulates over time. The louder the noise and the longer you are exposed to it, the greater risk you are at for permanent hearing loss. 
7. Noise-canceling or over-the-ear headphones that thwart sound in your environment could be a better choice instead of in-ear earphones or earbuds. When there isn’t outside noise that you’re trying to block out, you are less likely to raise the volume to dangerous levels. This is why you need to be aware of your surroundings. 
8. According to the CDC, safe levels of sound are at 70 decibels (dB), or lower. Some headphone volume levels can get as loud as 100 dB or more. This can cause permanent damage to your hearing in 15 minutes. People, especially city-dwellers, regularly come in contact with harmful levels of noise from restaurants, traffic mixed with construction noises, while working out in gyms, and while riding the subway. 
9. Hearing loss is generally subtle and occurs slowly over time. Most people live with hearing loss for years before they notice anything. For others, even when it is noticeable it can take years before they seek treatment for their hearing problems. Usually, it’s family members or coworkers who first notice your hearing loss. Online hearing tests are readily available and easy to use.  

If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss, please get in touch with us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation.    

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