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For Patients & Families:
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Protect Your Hearing from Damage Caused By Loud Noise
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We live in a noisy world. Traffic, construction, stereo and airport noise can disrupt our sleep, work and play, and has been linked to stress-related health problems.
If sufficiently loud and prolonged, some of the noises we encounter during our average day -- whether from the Big Dig construction site or from your iPod -- can cause permanent hearing loss.
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When thinking about "How loud is too loud?" it's important to understand that hearing is damaged by how loud and how long you listen. So, the higher you turn up the volume, the shorter the time it takes to do damage.
Permanent hearing loss can occur as a result of exposure to sound levels of 85 decibels (dBA) or greater for a prolonged period of time. At arm's length, an alarm clock, a ringing telephone and a blender are around 85 dBA.
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It takes a pretty long time -- approximately 8 hours -- to find yourself at risk if the level is 85 dBA, but just a slight increase (for instance, to 88 dBA) cuts the allowable time in half -- down to 4 hours. Another small increase of 3 more dBA cuts the listening time in half again.
So with sounds a bit louder than 85 dBA, you should only stay in earshot of the noise for a few minutes.
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At work, the government regulates noise exposures. But there are many dangerous sources of noise outside work, and it's up to you to learn about the potentially damaging effects, and what you can do to prevent them.
Lawnmowers, leaf blowers, power tools, motorcycles, snowmobiles, firearms, household appliances, hair dryers, some sound-emitting toys, personal stereo systems (headphones), and music concerts are some sources of noise that can damage hearing, depending on how long you're exposed.
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- If it's so noisy that you have to raise your voice to be heard more than 3 feet away, then the noise is too loud. Remove yourself from the situation or wear earplugs if you can't leave.
- To use personal stereo systems, like iPods, safely:
- Use earphones that block out background noise, so you don't have to turn the sound up as loud to hear it over the background noise.
- Limit the level to "6" (that is, if "10" is the highest level).
- Limit listening time to one hour or less.
- Parents may believe, "If I can hear it across the room, then I know their headphones are too loud!" This may be true, but just because you can't hear the music, that doesn't mean the music levels are safe. Some headphones "trap" the music in the ears, so no one else is able to hear it.
- Don't let children hold toys that make loud sounds close to their ears.
- If attending loud-noise events (concerts, fireworks displays, car races, etc.,) or operating a lawn mower or snow blower, use earplugs or special sound-blocking earmuffs. You can buy these at hardware stores or drugstores. (Cotton in the ears does not work!)
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Common warning signs include:
- Ringing, buzzing or hissing sounds in the ears during or after being around the noise or music.
- Muffled or distorted hearing.
- Trouble understanding conversation, especially if you are in a crowd of people talking.
- A feeling of "fullness" in the ears or head.
- Pain is usually not the first sign of noise over-exposure.
These symptoms tend to be temporary, but if you are around loud noise often, they may become permanent.
If you experience any of these symptoms, see an audiologist or your primary care physician immediately.
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Noise-induced hearing loss is the second most common cause of hearing loss, falling only behind age-related hearing loss. Because of the noises in today's world, hearing loss is appearing much earlier in life than would have been expected 30 years ago. We also know that 5.2 million children and teenagers have early signs of noise-induced hearing loss.
There is no "cure" for noise-induced hearing loss. Once hearing is gone, it will not come back. Prevention is the key.
So use your ears responsibly!
Source: Brian J. Fligor, ScD, CCC-A, director of the Diagnostic Audiology Program and Clinical Researcher in Audiology at Children's Hospital Boston.
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Please keep in mind that the text provided is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment.
Children's Hospital Boston©, 2006. This page may be reproduced for educational purposes. Reprint permission is required for all other uses.
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