What can You Do to Prevent Hearing Loss?

It’s important to know that permanent hearing loss cannot be reversed. Hearing loss is a slow process that occurs as you age, so it’s not very noticeable until it’s too late. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the only type of hearing loss that can be prevented. Excessive noise exposure is the leading cause of it. You can immediately suffer from permanent hearing loss if you lack hearing protection when exposed to particular sounds.

How to protect your hearing from loud noises

• Reduce the volume levels on your TV, stereo and smartphone. Be extra cautious if you are listening to something with earbuds or headphones. 
• If you are at work and the sound levels surpass 85 dB, if possible reduce the noise or wear hearing protection.
• Wear earplugs that properly fit if you attend a concert, nightclub, or even a movie theater. Distance yourself from loud speakers. 
• Wear noise-cancelling headphones or solid earplugs when using loud equipment like power saws, lawn mowers, etc.

Prevent damage from foreign objects

• Do not clean your ears with cotton swabs. Doing so actually pushes cerumen (earwax) further into your ear canal and can increase how much cerumen is produced. It can also damage the eardrum. 
• Prevent infections to your ears by using clean water to wash them.

Decibel levels 

Decibels (dB) are measurements of sound intensities. The faintest sound that can be heard by humans is 0dB. The loudest sound comes from a rocket launch, which can reach at least 180dB.

Generally, 85dB or more is the level that endangers your hearing. These noise levels come from things like lawn mowers and motorcycles, which can cause permanent hearing loss. 

Noise decibels and sources of sound

140dB - A gunshot or a jet engine during takeoff. This poses an immediate danger to your hearing.

125dB - An air raid siren or fireworks. This is known as the “pain threshold”.

120dB - Rock concerts or using a sandblasting tool. Your hearing can be damaged in 7 minutes.
​
115dB - A baby crying or a jet ski. Your hearing can be damaged in 15 minutes. 

110dB - A driver using a snowmobile. Your hearing can be damaged in 30 minutes.

105dB - A helicopter or jackhammer. Your hearing can be damaged in 1 hour.

100dB - A chainsaw or stereo headphones. Your hearing can be damaged in 2 hours.

95dB - A motorcycle or power saw. Your hearing can be damaged in 4 hours.

90dB - A lawnmower, truck traffic.  Your hearing can be damaged in 8 hours.

85dB - This is the beginning of the hearing threshold that is considered dangerous.

70dB - Busy traffic, vacuum cleaner. 

60dB - Conversations with others, a dishwasher.

40dB - A quiet room.

Here’s a list of decibel meter apps that you can use on your smartphone. 

If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation with one of our hearing instrument specialists. 

Contact Us