Atlanta Children's ENT

Member Georgia
Otolaryngology Associates

NOISE AND HEARING LOSS

Does Noise Cause Hearing Loss?

How Does Noise Cause Hearing Loss?

Am I Exposed To Damaging Noise?

What Is A Dangerous Noise Level?

What Are Warning Signs That Noises Around Me Are Too Loud?

What Can I Do To Protect Myself?

What Resources Are Available To Me If I Think I Have A Hearing Problem?

Does Noise Cause Hearing Loss?

Yes. If you experience any or all of the following:

a one time exposure to extremely loud noise

repeated or long exposure to loud noise,

extended exposure to moderate noise

You have been subjected to noise that can damage your hearing. Noise induced hearing loss is usually gradual and painless, but, unfortunately, permanent.

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How Does Noise Cause Hearing Loss?

Your ear receives sound waves and sends them through a delicately balanced system to the brain. Part of this remarkable system is a chamber in the inner ear filled with fluid and lined with thousands of tiny hair cells. The hair cells signal the auditory nerve to send electrical impulses to the brain. The brain interprets these impulses as sound.

When you are exposed to loud or prolonged noise, the hair cells are damaged and the transmission of sound is permanently altered.

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Am I Exposed To Damaging Noise?

Today, over 20 million people in the United States are exposed to environmental noise that can damage hearing. If you use stereo headsets, operate power tools for yard work, have a long daily commute in heavy traffic, or use a number of household appliances, you, too, may be exposed to potentially damaging noise.

Many people are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work, including: firefighters, military personnel, disc jockeys, construction workers, farmers, industrial arts teachers, computer operators, factory workers, as well as cab, truck, and bus drivers, to name a few.

Exposure to damaging noise does not come only from the workplace. Recreational activities such as hunting, motorboating/waterskiing, snowmobiling, motorcycling, and exposure to rock music or the use of stereo headsets, also expose you to hazardous noise.

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What Is A Dangerous Noise Level?

Both the amount of noise and the length of time you are exposed to the noise determine its ability to damage your hearing.

Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB) The higher the decibel level, the louder the noise. Sounds higher than 80 decibels are considered potentially hazardous. The noise "thermometer" below gives an idea of average decibel levels for everyday sounds around you.

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What Are Warning Signs That Noises Around Me Are Too Loud?

• You have to raise your voice to be heard.

• You can't hear someone two feet away from you.

• Speech around you sounds muffled or dull after leaving a noisy area.

• You have pain or ringing in your ears after exposure to noise.

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What Can I Do To Protect Myself?

First, avoid loud noise whenever possible. If you cannot avoid exposure to noise:

• Wear hearing protectors: ear plugs or earmuffs (you can probably get them from your drug store, hardware, or sporting goods store). Using cotton in your ears does not work. When using hearing protectors, you can still hear and understand voices and other sounds with ease.

• Have your hearing tested by an audiologist.

• Limit periods of exposure to noise; for example, if you are at a rock concert, walk out for a while give your ears a break. Be aware of the noise in your environment and take control of it when you can. Your county may have a local noise ordinance. Find out what you can do in your community to advocate for quiet. For example, some high schools have set a decibel limit for the music played at school dances to protect the students' hearing. An audiologist can measure sound levels at a specific location and make recommendations for keeping sound levels safe.

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What Resources Are Available To Me If I Think I Have A Hearing Problem?

For an evaluation of hearing abilities, an audiologist should be contacted. When hearing loss is the result of current disease, or if a medical problem is suspected, a physician should be seen. The audiologist you select should hold a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). In many states a license is also required. Our audiologist, Teresa Gentry, M.A.-CCC, holds both qualifying certificates.

Ear:
	Swimmer's ear	Middle ear infections
	Ear wax and Q-tips	Eustachian tube dysfunction
	Childhood Hearing Loss	Noise and Hearing Loss
	Assistive Listening Devices
Nose:
	Stuffy nose	Nosebleeds
	Sinus Infections	Adenoid disease
	Snoring and sleep apnea

Throat:
	Tonsil infections	Tongue tie
	Hoarseness	Noisy breathing
	Cough	Lump in the neck
	Child Language	Stutter
	Swallowing	Voice Problems
	Speech Language Pathologist
Cosmetic:
	Otoplasty

Surgery:
	Ear tubes	Adenoidectomy
	Tonsillectomy	Sinus Surgery
	Airway reconstruction

The information provided on this web site is not intended to take the place of consultation with your physician. You should always consult a physician whenever you require diagnosis or treatment.