Hearing loss can be Permanent or Temporary
Hearing loss affects your capacity to hear or comprehend speech and external sounds. Hearing loss can occur when any component of the ear or the nerves that transmit sound information to the brain do not function normally. Hearing loss may occasionally be temporary. However, if important ear structures are irreparably harmed, it can become permanent. Any injury to the ear might cause hearing loss.
Your ear's damaged hair cells may cause hearing loss
In their cochlea, the average newborn has roughly 16,000 hair cells. Your brain can detect sounds thanks to these cells. Before abnormalities in your hearing may be detected by a hearing test, up to 30% to 50% of hair cells may be harmed or lost. By the time you become aware of hearing loss, numerous hair cells have already been lost and are irreparably damaged.
You may realize that your hearing is worse after leaving a noisy event, like a concert or a football game. You might not be able to hear whispers, the sound might feel muffled, or your ears might be ringing. Usually, from a few hours to a few days, normal hearing returns. This is so that the hair cells, which behave like grass blades, will bend more in response to a louder sound. But after a time of recuperation, they will become straight again.
However, some hair cells will die if too many of them were injured by loud noise. Numerous hair cells will be destroyed over time by frequent loud noise exposure. This may gradually make it more difficult for you to interpret speech in noisy environments. If hearing loss persists, it may eventually be challenging to understand speech even in quieter settings.
Noise Can harm your ears' nerves as well.
Noise can harm hair cells as well as the auditory nerve, which sends information about sounds to the brain. Your hearing test may not detect early impairment. It may cause a "hidden hearing loss" that makes it challenging for you to hear conversation in noisy environments.
What is hearing loss brought on by noise?
Being exposed to loud noises for an extended period of time can result in noise-induced hearing loss, which is a permanent hearing loss. It can also happen if you are exposed to loud noises quickly, like a gunshot or explosion. Your risk of hearing loss increases the more loud noises you are exposed to.
Depending on the volume, pitch, and duration of the noise, you may or may not experience hearing loss. The duration of exposure and the volume of a sound (measured in decibels, or dB), are connected. The time before damage is done can be reduced the louder the sound.
Understanding the Impact of Sound Pollution
Our world is filled with an array of sounds - from the gentle rustling of leaves to the melodic tunes of music. Sound is an integral part of our lives, enriching our experiences and connecting us to the world around us. However, amidst this symphony of sounds, there exists a different kind of noise – one that poses a significant threat to our hearing health. Noise pollution, often overlooked and underestimated, can have adverse effects on our auditory system, leading to long-term hearing issues and even permanent damage. In this blog, we will delve into the topic of how noise affects hearing and the measures we can take to protect our auditory well-being.
Understanding Noise and Its Types:
Noise is generally described as unwanted or unpleasant sounds that can cause discomfort, annoyance, or harm. It comes in various forms, and its impact on hearing health largely depends on its intensity, duration, and frequency. Noise can be categorized into two types:
Environmental Noise: This includes sounds from traffic, construction sites, industrial machinery, airplanes, and other sources that surround us in our day-to-day life.
Recreational/Leisure Noise: These are sounds that we voluntarily expose ourselves to, such as attending concerts, using earphones or headphones at high volumes, or engaging in noisy recreational activities.
How Does Noise Damage Hearing?
Our auditory system is a complex and delicate mechanism that relies on a precise balance to function optimally. When exposed to loud or prolonged noise, the sensory hair cells in the cochlea of the inner ear can become damaged. These hair cells are responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals that the brain interprets as sound.
High-intensity noise disrupts the hair cells, leading to their permanent loss. Unlike certain animals like birds and reptiles, humans cannot regenerate these hair cells, making hearing loss a permanent consequence of their damage.
Decibels (dB) and Hearing Damage:
The intensity of sound is measured in decibels (dB). The higher the decibel level, the louder the sound. Prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 dB can cause hearing damage. For reference, normal conversation is around 60 dB, while city traffic can reach 80-85 dB. Concerts, sporting events, and other noisy recreational activities can easily exceed 100 dB, putting our hearing at risk.
Here's a general guideline for decibel levels and their potential impact:
- 85 dB: Prolonged exposure can cause hearing damage.
- 100 dB: More than 15 minutes of exposure can lead to hearing damage.
- 120 dB: Even brief exposure can cause immediate and permanent hearing damage.
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL):
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a common consequence of excessive noise exposure. It typically occurs gradually, so people may not immediately notice the damage until it becomes more pronounced over time. Symptoms of NIHL include difficulty understandi
Protecting Your Hearing:
The good news is that noise-induced hearing loss is preventable. Here are some practical steps to safeguard your hearing:
Use ear protection: When you are exposed to loud noises, whether in the workplace or during recreational activities, wear earplugs or earmuffs to reduce the sound intensity reaching your ears.
Limit exposure to loud noise: Be mindful of your surroundings and avoid prolonged exposure to high-decibel sounds.
Control volume levels: When using earphones or headphones, keep the volume at a safe level. Many devices now come with volume-limiting features to prevent excessive noise exposure.
Take listening breaks: If you attend a loud event, give your ears regular breaks to recover from the noise.
Get regular hearing check-ups: If you suspect any hearing issues, consult an audiologist for a comprehensive hearing evaluation.
It's ideal to keep yourself as educated with your hearing aids and a new breakthrough in the technology. Ask your query via Book an Appointment today. For more information visit https://hearing.careinc.ca or you can call us today at (403)605-6300