Everyday Activities That Could Harm Your Hearing

Hearing loss is no longer a product of the elderly – nearly 30 million 12+ people in the U.S. reported some hearing loss in both ears. People who live in a noisy neighborhood, work in a noisy environment or are exposed to a lot of noise daily have higher chances of noise-induced hearing loss. It is vital for your ear health to realize when a loud sound has caused hearing loss.

If you let your ears rest between loud sounds, or you use protective gear to reduce noise, you can prevent hearing loss from occurring.

Noise-related hearing loss begins at levels of 75 decibels (dB) for 24 hours. The sound of a busy street is approximately 75dB – the higher the dB level, the maximum exposure time rapidly decreases. At 94dB, only one hour of exposure is safe, while one should only be exposed to 100dB for approximately 15 minutes. It is essential to realize how loud is too loud – if you can’t hear a conversation around you, or you have to shout to be heard, chances are it is too loud. Below are three common activities that could damage your hearing.

Headphones and earbuds

Newer additions to the headphones and earbuds family have increasingly raised the maximum dB levels, exposing users to louder music. In a 2014 research study, the average urban headphone listener’s listening level was 94dB, most of whom were wearing an Air Pod style earbud. Younger people are exceeding their weekly sound exposure limit frequently due to headphones and earbuds, some of which can emit a maximum volume of 110dB. This decibel limit is equivalent to the sound of a motorcycle engine, or a chainsaw.

Public events

Concerts, live music, nightclubs or even amusement parks can be a significant stress reliever in our lives. However, these are some of the most damaging activities that we can participate in for our hearing. The sound at a nightclub or concert can reach levels over 100dB quickly, and if an event exceeds over an hour, that’s a long time of hearing damage. Have you ever felt that ear ringing sensation after a concert, or after being in a nightclub? This phenomenon is known as tinnitus, and it is an indication of noise-induced hearing loss. Other signs of noise-induced hearing loss include buzzing, roaring, muffled or distorted sounds.

Commuting and occupational hazards

Believe it or not, highway traffic can easily exceed 90dB. Speeding cars, honking horns, car radios, highway construction and frequent sirens combined can create a barrier of noise that causes hearing loss after a long period. If you are a person who has a long, noisy commute to work every day, this could have a detrimental effect on your hearing over a long time.
 
However, if you are a person with a loud occupation, you could experience even more hearing loss once you reach your destination. There are some professions which require protective earmuffs for your hearing to limit the exposure to loud noises. Some occupations that can cause occupational hearing loss include factory workers, construction workers, farmers, maintenance crews, entertainment workers, EMT’s, airline workers and teachers. This list is not an exhaustive list of the types of careers that could expose their workers to loud noises approximately 100dB or above.

How to limit noise exposure in daily life

Once you follow the general rule of thumb regarding loud noises, you can determine how often you are exposed to possible noise-induced hearing loss. Use the 60% rule and try to keep your headphone volume below the 60% mark. Give your ears a break and try to limit your daily headphone usage. It could also be time for you to invest in adequately fitted ear protection to prevent damage in your everyday life. The next time you are at a concert, it could benefit your hearing if you invest in a pair of earplugs.

Visit an audiologist

To find out if your daily activities have caused noise-induced hearing loss, call us today at (248)-430-8425 to find out more information from the specialists at Hinderliter Hearing Services. Once your hearing has been damaged, it could be challenging to restore, so it is safe to act fast.

Hearing loss is no longer a product of the elderly – nearly 30 million 12+ people in the U.S. reported some hearing loss in both ears. People who live in a noisy neighborhood, work in a noisy environment or are exposed to a lot of noise daily have higher chances of noise-induced hearing loss. It is vital for your ear health to realize when a loud sound has caused hearing loss.

If your ears rest between loud sounds, or you use protective gear to reduce noise, you can prevent hearing loss from occurring.

Noise-related hearing loss begins at levels of 75 decibels (dB) for 24 hours. The sound of a busy street is approximately 75dB – the higher the dB level, the maximum exposure time rapidly decreases. At 94dB, only one hour of exposure is safe, while one should only be exposed to 100dB for approximately 15 minutes. It is essential to realize how loud is too loud – if you can’t hear a conversation around you, or you have to shout to be heard, chances are it is too loud. Below are three daily activities that could damage your hearing.

Headphones and earbuds

Newer additions to the headphones and earbuds family have increasingly raised the maximum dB levels, exposing users to louder music. In a 2014 research study, the average urban headphone listener’s listening level was 94dB, most of whom were wearing an Air Pod style earbud. Younger people are exceeding their weekly sound exposure limit frequently due to headphones and earbuds, some of which can emit a maximum volume of 110dB. This decibel limit is equivalent to the sound of a motorcycle engine, or a chainsaw.

Public events

Concerts, live music, nightclubs or even amusement parks can be a significant stress reliever in our lives. However, these are some of the most damaging activities that we can participate in for our hearing. The sound at a nightclub or concert can reach levels over 100dB quickly, and if an event exceeds over an hour, that’s a long time of hearing damage. Have you ever felt that ear ringing sensation after a concert, or after being in a nightclub? This phenomenon is known as tinnitus, and it is an indication of noise-induced hearing loss. Other signs of noise-induced hearing loss include buzzing, roaring, muffled or distorted sounds.

Commuting and occupational hazards

Believe it or not, highway traffic can easily exceed 90dB. Speeding cars, honking horns, car radios, highway construction and frequent sirens combined can create a barrier of noise that causes hearing loss after a long period. If you are a person who has a long, noisy commute to work every day, this could have a detrimental effect on your hearing over a long time.

However, if you are a person with a loud occupation, you could experience even more hearing loss once you reach your destination. There are some professions which require protective earmuffs for your hearing to limit the exposure to loud noises. Some occupations that can cause occupational hearing loss include factory workers, construction workers, farmers, maintenance crews, entertainment workers, EMT’s, airline workers and teachers. This list is not an exhaustive list of the types of careers that could expose their workers to loud noises approximately 100dB or above.

How to limit noise exposure in daily life

Once you follow the general rule of thumb regarding loud noises, you can determine how often you are exposed to possible noise-induced hearing loss. Use the 60% rule and try to keep your headphone volume below the 60% mark. Give your ears a break and try to limit your daily headphone usage. It could also be time for you to invest in adequately fitted ear protection to prevent damage in your everyday life. The next time you are at a concert, it could benefit your hearing if you invest in a pair of earplugs.

Visit an audiologist

To find out if your daily activities have caused noise-induced hearing loss, call us today at (248)-430-8425 to find out more information from the specialists at Hinderliter Hearing Services. Once your hearing has been damaged, it could be challenging to restore, so it is safe to act fast.