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If your work, leisure activities or hobbies involve long term exposure to loud sounds, you should be aware of your potential risk for noise-induced hearing loss, known as NIHL. NIHL can also occur as the result of a one-time exposure to a very loud or intense noise, such as a very noisy explosion.

NIHL involves damage to sensory hair cells in the ears that convert sound energy to electrical signals that then travel to the brain. When these sensitive hair cells are damaged, they cannot be repaired or grow back. Harmful noises can also damage the auditory nerve.

Most people are aware that sound is measured in decibels, and decibels can provide insight that can help you avoid noise-induced hearing loss. Roughly speaking, a noise that is 10 times higher on the decibel scale sounds twice as loud to your ears. Normal conversation usually rates around 60 decibels, while a motorcycle or small firearm shot can emit a noise at about 120 to 150 decibels.

Noises at or above the 85 decibel mark can cause NIHL, but even sounds below 75 decibels can cause hearing loss with long term exposure. The louder the noise, the less time it takes for hearing damage to occur. In addition to length of time of exposure, distance from the source of a sound also affects whether or not it is harmful to hearing.

Exposure to a very loud “impulse” noise such as an explosion may result in immediate hearing damage, and hearing loss may be permanent or temporary. This may occur in one or both ears. Hearing loss that occurs as the result of continuous exposure to loud noises usually affects both ears, but the damage may involve a more gradual process. This type of hearing loss may also be either temporary or permanent.

Noise-induced hearing loss often involves hearing a ringing, roaring or buzzing sound in the ears or in the head. This is called tinnitus, and it can occur constantly or occasionally.

Tinnitus may be a symptom of NIHL that gradually increases. Other symptoms may include having a hard time understanding speech, or hearing sounds in a distorted or muffled way. Severe symptoms of damage to hearing may include dizziness, pain or discomfort and drainage from the ears. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all if NIHL is occurring gradually.

Anyone who experiences symptoms of hearing loss should either schedule an appointment with an ear doctor or in the case of extreme symptoms, visit a hospital’s emergency room. Sometimes damage caused by NIHL can be reversed or lessened if medications are administered right away.

If your work or leisure activities put you at risk for NIHL, take precautionary measures such as wearing adequate hearing protection and limiting exposure to loud noises as much as possible. You should also have your hearing tested on a regular basis. Although hearing aids may be able to help with some types of noise-induced hearing loss, prevention is the best way to safeguard your hearing for a lifetime.

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