Loud noises can cause significant damage to your hearing. This article answers some common questions you may have relating to noise-induced hearing loss. Read on to discover more.
What Is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?
Noise-induced hearing loss can occur when your ears are exposed to excessive noise over time. The higher the volume and the longer you're exposed to it, the greater the risk of auditory damage. There are many sources of loud noises from power tools to loud music, industrial machinery, cars, motorcycles, hairdryers, leaf blowers, or computer games.
Do You Have Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?
Years of exposure to loud noises can cause you to gradually lose your high-frequency hearing, which is critical for understanding speech. Most people with noise-induced hearing loss experience difficulty in recognising conversations. They may also hear ringing or muffling in the affected ear.
What Can You Do To Avoid Permanent Damage to Your Hearing?
Thankfully, there are steps you can take to avoid noise-induced hearing loss.
Avoid Loud Noises
You should aim to reduce exposure to anything that can cause hearing loss, whether it's the noise itself or the reverberations that affect your ears. If you love music, turn down the volume of your stereo or headphones.
Wear Ear Protection
If you need loud sound for a project or activity, wear ear protection from potentially damaging sources such as machinery. Consider wearing hearing protection while watching fireworks, hunting, mowing your lawn, attending rock concerts, or riding motorcycles. You should make sure you choose hearing protection made specifically for the activity, such as those for musicians and hunters. Even when wearing ear protection, you should minimise the amount of time you spend in loud environments.
Have Regular Hearing Tests
Regular hearing tests will allow you to identify any damage at the earliest opportunity so it can be addressed before it becomes severe.
When Should You See an Audiologist?
If you start experiencing difficulty understanding people or if you've noticed some hearing loss, it's important to see an audiologist who can diagnose your condition and help prevent permanent damage. If noise-induced hearing loss is left untreated, it can progress until your hearing is completely lost in both ears. An audiologist can help by fitting you with hearing aids which will help to restore your ability to hear and interact with the world around you.
For more info, contact an audiologist today. They will be happy to answer any questions and to book you in for an assessment of your hearing.
