It’s very common for people to have hearing loss caused by continued exposure to loud noise. Your hearing can be permanently damaged if you spend a lot of time exposed to noise that is higher than 85 dB.
Exactly How Does Noise-Related Hearing Loss Work?
There are little hair cells in your inner ear which can be permanently harmed by loud noise. This is called sensorineural hearing loss.
A gradual deterioration of hearing, eventually bringing about permanent hearing loss, develops when you are subjected to very loud noise over a long period of time. It can also be caused by a single event of a loud burst of noise that can immediately result in hearing loss.
Work and recreational activities account for 17% of hearing loss in individuals between the ages of 20 and 69. Some examples of noises that can cause hearing loss may include:
- Emergency Vehicles
- Jet engines
- Loud headphoness
- Motorcycles
- Busy Traffic
- Chainsaws
- Construction equipment
- Nearby fireworks
Is it Reversible?
Although scientists are making advancements, presently, there is no cure for noise related hearing loss. If you’ve been exposed to a loud noise, you need to consult a doctor right away, because some of the prolonged damage is due to inflammation in the ear. You may be capable of limiting the damage that develops by decreasing inflammation. Waves of sound are transmitted to the brain by the little hair cells in the ear. If noise harms or destroys them, they are unable to regenerate. This means that your hearing ability will be permanently affected. Protecting your ears, then, should be top priority, and consulting a specialist if you’re presently having hearing issues.
Research to Tackle The Issue
This condition is presently not curable. But repairing noise-induced hearing loss is top priority for researchers. For instance, some studies are in clinical trials right now that are testing whether a drug can restore the growth of these little hairs in the ear. If scientists were capable of getting this drug to work, these hairs would be able to restore and we might be able to address noise and age induced hearing loss.
Safeguard Your Remaining Hearing
Noise induced hearing loss can’t be healed but if you take certain steps to safeguard your ears, the hearing you have left can be protected into the future. You can:
- If there are areas that regularly have loud noise – avoid them
- Take regular hearing exams
- Whatever your hearing loss might be, hearing aids could be the answer
- Limit your exposure to extremely noisy activities at home
- Use the appropriate hearing protection devices, like earmuffs or earplugs if you work in locations with persistently loud noises
Keeping the volume down on your devices, using ear protection, and staying away from overly loud noise is the best way to protect your hearing. Make an appointment for a hearing test if you have been exposed to loud noise.
