It’s very common for people to have loss of hearing brought on by continued exposure to loud noise. Your hearing can be permanently damaged if you spend a lot of time around noise that is higher than 85 dB.
Exactly How Does Noise-Related Hearing Loss Work?
This is a kind of sensorineural hearing loss where hair cells in your inner ear are irreversibly destroyed by noise.
Noise-related hearing loss can be brought on by long-term subjection to very high levels of noise, which causes a gradual decline of your hearing. Instant damage can also happen if you are subjected to a burst of extremely damaging noise all at once.
Over 17 percent of individuals between 20 to 69 have hearing loss that is caused by their work or recreational activities. Here are a few examples of noises that can lead to hearing loss:
- Jet engines
- Nearby fireworks
- Emergency Vehicles
- Motorcycles
- Chainsaws
- Loud headphoness
- Busy Traffic
- Construction equipment
Can it be Reversed?
There is currently no remedy for noise-related hearing loss (although scientists are hard at work on it). Some of the damage inside your ear could be the result of inflammation so you should consult a doctor if you have been exposed to sudden loud noise. You may be able to limit the damage that develops by decreasing inflammation. The hair cells inside of your inner ear are responsible for transmitting waves of sound to your brain. If noise damages or destroys them, they won’t regenerate. Meaning that your hearing ability will be permanently impacted. Protecting your ears, then, should be top priority, and seeing a specialist if you are currently having hearing problems.
Addressing The Problem With Research
This condition is currently incurable. But restoring noise-related hearing loss is top priority for researchers. For instance, some research is in clinical trials presently that are evaluating whether a drug can repair the growth of these tiny hairs in the ear. Age-induced hearing loss and loud noise can damage these hairs, but restoration would help repair hearing if scientists are capable of getting the drug to work.
Safeguard Your Remaining Hearing
While hearing loss that is caused by noise can’t be restored (yet), you are able to take specific measures to avoid hearing loss or protect the remaining hearing that you have. Some steps you can take include:
- Whatever your hearing loss may be, hearing aids could be the answer
- Keep away from areas that regularly have loud noises
- Limit your exposure to extremely noisy activities at home
- If you work in an industry that has persistently loud noise, use the correct hearing protection
- Get tested routinely
Actually, it’s best to avoid exposure to loud noise by wearing hearing protection and keeping the volume down on all your devices. Make an appointment for a hearing exam if you have been exposed to loud noise.
