What causes noise-induced hearing loss?
Hearing loss caused by noise can occur in people of any age. Whether a noise is harmful depends on how loud it is and how long you're around it.
Noise can affect hearing in several ways.
- On-the-job (occupational) noise is one of the most common sources of harmful noise. Construction and factory workers, or those in the military, might have this type of hearing loss.
- A sudden, extremely loud sound can cause immediate, severe, and often permanent hearing loss. This type of injury often requires medical attention right away.
- Loud sounds (like a rock concert) can cause a temporary ringing and hearing loss.
- Repeated, frequent exposure to loud or moderately loud sounds over a long period of time (often years) can cause permanent hearing loss. These sounds include high-volume music and the noise of power tools, lawn mowers, household appliances, and vehicles.
How does noise-induced hearing loss develop?
To be heard, sound energy has to be strong enough to bend tiny hair cells in the cochlea, a part of the inner ear. The force of loud noise can damage these hair cells. A small amount of damage may have no effect on hearing. But with repeated exposure to noise, more of the hair cells are damaged, causing hearing loss.
Noise-induced hearing loss usually affects both ears. But one ear may be affected more than the other if you've had repeated, long-term exposure to a loud sound that always comes from the same direction. An example is gunfire that's always near the same ear.
What noise levels put you at risk for hearing loss?
The effects of noise on hearing vary among people. Some people's ears are more sensitive to loud sounds, especially at certain frequencies. But any sound that is loud enough and lasts long enough can damage hearing and lead to hearing loss.
In general, sounds above 85 decibels (dB) are harmful. But this depends on how long and how often you are exposed to the sound and whether you wear hearing protection, such as earplugs or earmuffs.
Here are examples of noises that produce levels above 85 decibels:
- Heavy traffic, window air conditioner, noisy restaurant, power lawn mower
- Subway, shouted conversation
- ATV, motorcycle
- School dance
- Chainsaw, leaf blower, snowmobile
- Sports crowd, rock concert, loud symphony
- Car races
- Gunshot, siren at 100 feet
Preventing noise-related hearing loss
Being exposed to loud noise over and over is one of the most common causes of permanent hearing loss. It usually develops slowly and without pain or other symptoms. You may not notice that you have hearing loss until it is severe.
Here are some steps you can take to lower your risk of noise-induced hearing loss.
- Be aware of and avoid harmful noise.
You can be exposed to harmful noise at work, at home, and in many other settings. Know what kinds of situations can cause harmful noise levels. To learn more about hearing protection in workplaces in the United States, contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
- Use hearing protectors.
If you know you are going to be around harmful noise, wear hearing protectors, such as earplugs or earmuffs.
- Control the volume when you can.
Reduce the noise in your life by turning down the volume on the stereo, TV, or car radio, and especially on personal listening devices with earphones or ear buds.
- Don't wait to protect yourself.
After noise-related damage to the ear is done, it cannot be reversed. But if you already have some noise-related hearing loss, it is not too late to prevent further damage and preserve the hearing that you still have.
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