Hearing loss creates the inability to discern specific sound frequencies, the inability to hear when there’s too much background noise, mishearing things that are said and can create confusion and frustration in others that are asked to repeat themselves. Hearing loss is sometimes sudden or gradual. Babies can be born with hearing loss (congenital hearing loss). Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) can occur in older people. Some hearing problems can be treated and prevented.
Let’s Define Hearing Loss Hearing loss is, essentially, the inability to hear as well as someone who has healthy, normal hearing abilities. Healthy ears have a hearing threshold of 20 dB or better in each ear. If you can’t hear at these decibels, you have some range of hearing loss. This can be mild, moderate, severe, or profound. One or both ears can be affected, and it causes challenges when listening to conversational speech or loud sounds. The Prevalence of Hearing Loss At least 1 in 10 Americans experience some range of hearing loss. It's the most common type of sensory processing disorder. These disorders impact how your brain processes information through the senses (hearing, tasting, touching, and seeing.). What Population of the World Has Hearing Loss? No matter what age, gender, ethnicity, or race you are, anyone can have hearing loss. One in 3 individuals who are over 65 has this health problem. About 50 percent of people over the age of 75 have hearing loss. Nearly 2 in 1,000 babies are born with hearing loss. It is a very common birth defect. Causes of Hearing Loss Exposure to loud noise can cause hearing loss. The exposure can occur quickly and suddenly or slowly happen after being around dangerous noise levels for an extensive period. For example, being within close range of a loud blast from fireworks or a firearm can lead to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Long-term exposure to noise from work environments such as construction zones, orchestras, war zones, or farms can create high risks of NIHL. One of the primary work-related health problems in the U.S. is occupational hearing loss. Always be prepared. Carry earplugs everywhere with you and put them on. You never know whether you'll be exposed to dangerous noise levels or not. Additional risk factors for hearing loss:
Symptoms of Hearing Loss Due to the gradual nature of some types of hearing loss, you may not notice until it’s a significant amount of loss. Pain is usually uncommon with hearing loss. Instead, you may experience the following:
Children with hearing loss may show the following signs:
Types of Hearing Loss Unilateral and bilateral hearing loss may occur. It would be based on where your hearing system has deteriorated. Conductive: This type of hearing loss is the result of an obstruction that prevents sound from traveling through the outer ear (ear canal) or middle ear (where three tiny ear bones known as the malleus, incus, and stapes are located). The obstruction may have been caused by an ear infection, impacted earwax, or fluid found in the ear. Loud noises may sound muffled, and you may find softer sounds harder to hear. Sensorineural: The inner ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve is affected by hearing loss. It is usually caused by exposure to noise, diseases, or aging. Children commonly experience this type of hearing loss at birth. It may be caused by trauma that occurred during childbirth, head injuries, or infections. This type of hearing loss is usually permanent. Hearing aids and assistive listening devices are helpful for this type of hearing loss. Mixed: A combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss may occur in some people. It can be caused by a genetic condition, head injury, or infection. You might need different treatments for each type of hearing loss. Deafness vs. Hearing Loss A person who is deaf can’t hear very much or at all. Hearing aids and assistive listening devices won’t be useful. Sign language/an interpreter or written/typed words would be used to communicate. Someone with hearing loss can still hear conversations and participate in them. Hearing aids or assistive listening devices can be used to help with communication. If you suspect that you or a loved one has hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. Our hearing aid specialists pass a state exam and receive state licenses to conduct hearing tests. They are also professional hearing aid fitters who will properly fit and program your hearing aids so that you will get the most out of the devices. Exposure to noises can quickly or gradually worsen a person’s hearing health. It only takes a single loud noise, like fireworks going off near your ears, to cause damage to your hearing. If the sound is very loud, your hearing can be lost instantly. Repeated and extensive exposure to loud sounds can lead to severe hearing loss.
Here’s a list of loud noises that you may regularly be exposed to. If you don’t already do so, wear earplugs or ear muffs whenever you are around these noises. Daily Activities
Entertainment Events
Tools and other Loud Noise Sources
Common Noises and their Decibel Levels Sound is measured through decibels (dB). They can be measured through a decibel meter app that can be downloaded onto your smartphone or tablet. The average human whisper is just 30 dB, normal conversation is about 60 dB, and a running motorcycle engine can reach up to 95 dB. Any noise reaching at least 70 dB can damage hearing if you are exposed to it for an extensive period. Noise over 120 dB can immediately harm your ears and hearing health. Examples of Everyday Noises and How Loud They Are The sounds at these levels usually do not damage hearing. Softest sounds heard by the human ear: 0 dB Normal breathing: 10 dB Ticking watch: 20 dB Soft whisper: 30 dB Refrigerator hum: 40 dB Normal conversational voice, air conditioner: 60 dB These noises may cause minor irritation. Washing machine, dishwasher: 70 dB These noises may cause more irritation. Heavy city traffic (while in a car): 80-85 dB This noise may cause a lot of irritation. Gas-powered lawn mowers and leaf blowers: 80-85 dB A person’s hearing may become damaged after 2 hours of exposure. Motorcycles: 95 dB After 50 minutes of exposure, a person may experience hearing loss. An oncoming subway train, a car horn that is 16 feet away, or a sporting (football) event in an arena: 100 dB Hearing loss may occur after at least 15 minutes of exposure. The maximum volume level for a personal listening device, TV, or loud entertainment venue: 105 - 110 dB Hearing loss may occur in less than 5 minutes of exposure Shouting or barking in the ear: 110 dB Hearing loss may occur within less than 2 minutes of exposure. Being near sirens: 120 dB May experience pain and ear injury in addition to hearing loss. Fireworks: 140 - 150 dB May experience pain and ear injury in addition to hearing loss. If you have hearing loss that was caused by dangerous noise levels, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. Today is the 28th annual celebration of International Noise Awareness Day. This day is recognized in order to raise awareness about potential harm that noise can cause to hearing, health, and overall quality of life. It's meant to create changes that need to be made within your community when it comes to harmful noise and taking care of your hearing.
Participants are encouraged to safely organize noise awareness activities within your local community. You may also bring attention to it through social media posts with hashtags like:
The main message that International Noise Awareness Day wants to get across is: Protect Your Hearing, Protect Your Health! If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss, get in touch with one of our hearing aid providers at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. |
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