Are your ears frequently having to endure loud noise at work, on the street, or during social events?
As an audiologist, I frequently observe the impact of noise on our patients’ hearing.
An estimated 11 million Canadians (43%) are exposed to damaging noise at work, according to Statistics Canada.
That means noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) has already surpassed epidemic proportions and it isn’t likely to improve in today’s noisy world.
At Port Credit Audiology & Hearing Aid Clinic, we are concerned about how exposure to loud noise is affecting the youth and working-aged people in our community. We hope that by raising awareness and encouraging you to take action, we might prevent NIHL from having a drastic impact on the lives of people in Mississauga.
What Is NIHL?
Noise-induced hearing loss occurs due to damage to the hair cells found in the inner ear. These hair cells are small sensory cells that convert the sounds we hear (sound energy) into electrical signals so they can be interpreted by the brain.
Once these hair cells become damaged, there is no way to repair them, and they do not grow back. The result is permanent sensorineural hearing loss.
In addition to an extreme noise event, damage to your hearing can be the result of ongoing exposure to loud noise where you work, during social events, or while you are engaged in certain personal activities.
Take Your First Step on the Journey to Better Hearing
Whether you decide to start your journey with Port Credit Audiology & Hearing Aid Clinic or Costco, taking your first step on the journey to better hearing is the most important part of addressing your hearing challenges.
If you’re experiencing a hearing loss, reach out for help by scheduling a comprehensive hearing test that provides a complete picture of your hearing challenges, and then make an informed decision to go with the provider that will provide the better-hearing outcomes that best fit your unique needs and circumstances.
How Loud Is Too Loud?
Loudness is measured in units called decibels (dB).
Near silence is expressed as 0 dB, and a sound measured at 10 dB is 10 times louder, or a 10-fold increase in sound pressure level (SPL). So a sound that measures 20 dB? That’s 100 times louder than near silence.
With that in mind, consider the following noise levels to gain perspective:
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Normal conversations are around 60 dB
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Hair dryers and blenders are 90 dB
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Concerts, car racing, and sporting events are 110 dB
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Ambulance, police, and fire sirens are 130 dB
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Gunshots and fireworks are 140 dB
“When the tiny hairs of the inner ear trigger the nerve cells to fire, those cells create a waste product,” Brian Fligor, ScD, explains. “It’s somewhat like your leg muscles building up lactic acid after a very long run.”
Not much waste is produced with quieter sounds, and if the noise is loud but short, the cells are often able to rest and clear out the waste. But noises that are loud enough and endure long enough prevent the cells from clearing out the waste. Essentially,
Hearing Damage = Volume + Duration
Just a few hours of exposure to noise just a few decibels above 85 dB (normal level) can cause hair cells to be overwhelmed with waste and die.
As a rule of thumb, if you have to raise your voice to speak to someone at arm’s length, the surrounding noise is too loud. And if you hear ringing, buzzing in your ears, or experience temporary hearing loss after leaving work, a major sporting event, or a club or concert, the noise is definitely too loud.
Occupational Hazard
Individuals most at risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) include factory workers, transportation workers, military personnel, construction workers, musicians and entertainers, those frequently operating heavy machinery, and first responders.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) provides guidelines for occupational exposure limits (OELs) for the various noises experienced at work and the maximum duration of exposure permitted for various noise levels.
The maximum exposure time to 85 dB without hearing protection is eight hours, but the maximum amount of exposure time without hearing protection is cut in half with each increase of 3 dB of noise level.
NIHL Is PREVENTABLE
While the natural deterioration of hearing with age is largely beyond your control, noise-induced hearing loss is preventable.
The use of hearing protection at work, during a major sporting event, concert, parade, fireworks show or while engaged in recreational activities (shooting sports, motorcross, snowmobiling, etc.) can prevent the damage to your ears that leads to NIHL.
Parents also need to be aware of the listening levels of the personal devices on which their children listen to music, watch videos, and play video games while wearing headphones or earbuds.
Port Credit Audiology & Hearing Aid Clinic provides custom-made ear protection that is made from a durable medical-grade silicone or acrylic material and available in a variety of colours.
Our custom earmolds offer maximum protection and a comfortable fit made specifically for your ears, and they come with a variety of filters to allow you to use the same plugs for activities that require different degrees of noise reduction.
Your Next Step?
Take proactive measures to prevent noise-induced hearing loss from affecting your life and lifestyle by wearing ear protection at work, during social events, and while participating in recreational activities that involve loud noise.
If you are exposed to loud noise, be sure to schedule regular hearing assessments at Port Credit Audiology & Hearing Aid Clinic to monitor changes to your hearing before the damage leads to permanent hearing loss.
Contact us to schedule an appointment or call our Mississauga clinic at (905) 990-3755 for more information about NIHL and/or custom hearing protection today!
