It’s extremely common for people to have hearing loss brought on by continued exposure to loud noise. Your hearing can be irreversibly impaired if you spend a lot of time around noise that exceeds 85 dB.
Exactly How Does Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Work?
This is a form of sensorineural hearing loss where hair cells in your inner ear are permanently damaged by noise.
Noise-induced hearing loss can be brought on by long-term exposure to extremely high levels of noise, which leads to a gradual decline of your hearing. Immediate damage can also happen if you are subjected to a burst of exceptionally damaging noise all at once.
Over 17 percent of people between the ages of 20 and 69 have hearing loss that is a result of their recreational or work activities. Here are some examples of noises that can lead to hearing loss:
- Busy Traffic
- Loud headphoness
- Emergency Vehicles
- Construction equipment
- Motorcycles
- Nearby fireworks
- Chainsaws
- Jet engines
Can it be Reversed?
There is presently no cure for noise-related hearing loss (although scientists are hard at work on it). If you’ve been subjected to a loud noise, you need to consult a doctor right away, because some of the lasting damage is caused by inflammation in the ear. If you could decrease the inflammation you may be able to reduce some permanent damage. The hair cells in your inner ear are responsible for transmitting waves of sound to your brain. They never regenerate once they are ruined. This means that your hearing ability will be permanently impacted. This is why it is essential that you take the appropriate steps to safeguard your hearing, and if you’re exposed to a loud noise, that you see a specialist right away.
Addressing The Problem With Research
This condition is currently incurable. But restoring noise-induced hearing loss is top priority for researchers. For instance, some studies are in clinical trials presently that are evaluating whether a drug can restore the growth of the little hairs in the ear. If scientists were capable of getting this drug to work, these hairs would be able to restore and we might be able to overcome noise and age induced hearing loss.
What Hearing Remains Needs to be Protected
While hearing loss that is caused by noise cannot be restored (yet), you are able to take specific steps to prevent hearing loss or save the remaining hearing that you have. Some things you can do include:
- When you’re at home, minimize your exposure to excessively loud pursuits
- Use the proper hearing protection devices, like earplugs or earmuffs if you work in places with persistently loud noises
- If there are places that regularly have loud noise – stay away from them
- Get tested regularly
- Manage any hearing loss you have with hearing aids
Actually, it’s best to avoid exposure to loud noise by using hearing protection and lowering the volume on all your devices. But if you are exposed, schedule a hearing test.