Protect Yourself from Harmful Sounds

Every day, our ears register the sounds around us, from the laughter on the television shows we watch, to the chirping of birds in the trees outside the window. But how much noise is too much?

How Hearing Loss Happens
According to Michael Brooks, MD, with Laurel ENT Surgical Clinic, noise-induced hearing loss happens when the sounds we hear are so loud that they damage sensitive structures in the inner ear. The longer the exposure to excessive noise, the greater the damage. But hearing loss can also result from even a single exposure to a very loud sound. Any noise louder than 75 decibels is dangerous. See these examples to find out if you are exposed to unhealthy noise levels in your daily life:

Practicing Prevention
Research shows that avoiding exposure to dangerous noise levels—and taking “rest periods” between hazardous noise exposures—can help prevent or lessen noise-related hearing damage. For example, if you are attending a loud musical concert one evening, limit your contact with other loud environments for the rest of that day.

If you work or spend your free time in an environment where hazardous noise regularly occurs, experts advise wearing earplugs that fit inside the ear—or earmuffs that seal the space around the outside of the ear—to muffle the sound. But to provide protection, these products must provide a tight seal and be worn consistently. This includes whenever you mow your lawn, shoot a rifle or pistol, ride a motorcycle, or operate power tools.

If you have trouble understanding conversation in a crowd, you may have a hearing loss. But the cause may only be an ear infection or a buildup of earwax. For more information, call The Hearing Center of Laurel at 649-8732.

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