SHARES
Hearing loss is much more common than you realise!
Stefan age 45, a construction site manager for the past 10 years, started experiencing noise or ringing in his ears. He then began missing out on what is said on the phone and have trouble hearing people particularly amidst background noise. When the hearing got worse, Stefan went for a hearing test. The results showed significant impaired hearing, an occupational hazard from noise induced hearing loss in his case. He was exposed to high noise levels from the welders, chain saws and drills, piling/demolition. Had Stefan known about noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and its preventive measures, he could have protected his hearing. Stefan lamented: “I wish I had known the risks then!”
Noise Induced Hearing Loss is Preventable
Several circumstances could lead to NIHL. For instance, one-time exposure to a short burst of explosive noise or continuous exposure. Others include recreational loud noises especially among youngsters, who enjoy music using earbuds or headphones, playing in bands or attending loud concerts. Or fire arms training among young soldiers failing to protect their ears. The effects of NIHL can be immediate or delayed; temporary or permanent, and affecting one or both ears. Excessive exposure to loud noise damages the hairs in the ear and they don’t grow back!
The risk of hearing damage depends on the both volume and duration of noise exposure, measured in decibels (dB). Most experts agree that continued noise exposure of 80-85 dB or more can lead to hearing loss. In fact, 15 minutes of noise levels above 105dB each week is sufficient to damage hearing. To put things into context, the noise levels of some common scenarios are as follows:
- Normal conversation: 60-65dB
- A busy street: 75-85 dB
- Lawn mower/heavy traffic: 85 dB
- Forklift truck: 90 dB
- Hand drill: 98 dB
- Heavy lorry about seven metres away: 95-100 dB
- Motorbikes: 100 dB
- Cinema: some films regularly top 100 dB during big action scenes
- Disco/nightclub/car horn: 110 dB
- MP3 player on loud: 112 dB
- Chainsaw: 115-120 dB
- Rock concert/ambulance siren: 120 dB
Hearing loss – is it reversible?
Depending on the cause, some are reversible, others are not.
Earwax Blockage: Reversible. Earwax build up occurs when you push the wax inner and deeper whilst trying to clean them with ear buds. You can easily clear off ear wax by putting a few drops of baby or mineral oil into your ear. For severe cases, you may need a doctor to get the hardened wax out safely.
Ear Infections: Reversible. Mild hearing loss may follow an ear infection but upon successful treatment, the hearing will return.
Sudden Hearing Loss: Usually Reversible. Sudden hearing loss may occur all at once or just over several days. Your doctor may treat this condition with steroids. Half of such cases gets better on its own within one or two weeks.
Age-Related Hearing Loss and or Noise induced: Not Reversible. As we age, natural degenerative changes to the inner ear or auditory nerve resulting in hearing loss. Loud noise exposure leading to noise induced hearing loss is another factor exacerbating hearing loss.
In age related and NIHL hearing loss, work with an audiologist to fit you with suitable hearing aids. You need to invest time to learn how to use, adapt and fine-tune them, otherwise the success rate would be very low.
Check out these tips to prevent hearing loss:
- Wear ear protectors: When at places with high noise levels, earplugs can reduce average sound levels by 15 to 35 dB. Also use ear protectors (earplugs or earmuffs) when handling noisy equipment such as guns, power drills, saws or lawn mowers.
- Choose headphones: Noise-cancelling or muff-type headphones block out background noise better than earbud-style headphones thereby reducing noise volume. Regardless, take frequent breaks from headphones to allow the ears to rest.
- Reduce music volume: The volume would be too loud when it is uncomfortable to listen to or it becomes impossible to hear external sounds with headphones on. Another pointer to reduce volume would be if the music is audible to another person.
- Practice 60:60 rule with headphones: Listening to music at 60 % of maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes a day is regarded as the safe music enjoyment with headphones.
- Hearing detox: Reports show that 2 hours of 100 dB noise would require at least 16 hours of rest for the ears to recover. Hence, reducing the recovery time may increase the risk of permanent deafness.
Safe-driving tips for drivers with hearing loss
Hearing loss poses a significant safety concern for you and other drivers on the road. However, provided proper safety measures are taken, it should not deprive you from driving on the road. Firstly work closely with your doctor and audiologist to evaluate your hearing loss and review it annually. If hearing aids are prescribed, make sure that you have adapted to them and use them when driving.
Take these steps to be a safer driver:
- Be highly aware of your surroundings: Observe carefully when driving as it may be difficult to hear sirens or honking. Discern other drivers’ reactions while on the road. For example, if the drivers are making way to one side of the road, this could indicate that an ambulance or escort is passing through. Or watch out for flashing lights from other vehicles.
- Rely on your eyes more: Check your eyes to ensure best vision. Install a wide-angle full rear-view mirror to see more behind, whilst absorbing these visual cues and responding appropriately.
- Reduce noise and distraction: Concentrate on driving with minimal noise and other distractions. Drive with windows closed and lower volume on the radio. You can hear better in the car, if you program hearing aids to use directional microphones. If you must use the phone in the car, the most suitable hearing aids are those with a Bluetooth function which can sync to your phone.
- Plan ahead for car breakdown: Think about the most effective ways to contact your insurance company or roadside assistance provider during an emergency. Work with service providers that are friendly to hard-of-hearing drivers.
- Use visor cards: Show visor cards when in dire situations of having to confront police men or another driver. Essentially, the visor card informs about your hearing problem and your preferred form of communication. With visor cards, you avoid unnecessary stress and misunderstanding.
Use hearing aids if you have hearing loss
Conclusion
In short, loud noises can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss in one or both ears. NIHL is the only type of hearing loss that is completely preventable. Therefore, being aware of noise hazards and practising good hearing health is essential to protect against hearing loss.
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by Joanne Lee
Multipotentialite. Loves creating and seeing ideas come alive. View all articles by Joanne Lee.
