Patient Information & Education
We offer our patient information and education section as an informational resource to our patients and web visitors. Please review the privacy/disclaimer information as well.



Noise Hurts
Noise Induced Hearing Loss

In our society we are bombarded by noise. Vacuum cleaners, city traffic, factory machinery, car alarms, farm equipment and aircraft noise are just a few examples of the daily assault on our ears. Even forms of recreation, rock concerts and the use of personal stereo systems are culprits. The noise around us is a fact. So is the hazard it represents to our health and well being. It is vital that we recognize the dangers of noise and take precautions to protect ourselves from its many ill effects.

Facts

• 28 million people in the United States have a hearing loss
  
• Noise is one of the leading causes of hearing loss, especially in young people.
  
• Noise negatively affects learning and behavior.
• Just 15 minutes on many New York City subways over time can damage your hearing.
• Noise-induced hearing loss is preventable.

Common Noise is All Around Us

Noise induced hearing loss is permanent - once you lose your hearing from noise, you can't get it back. But noise-induced hearing loss is preventable.

• Noise in the Workplace: OSHA has developed safety guidelines indicating the time a worker can be exposed to various levels of sound. To avoid noise-induced hearing loss, OSHA recommends that hearing protection be worn in the workplace when loudness levels and exposure times exceed the allowable standards.
  
• Noise in the Home: Your home may not be a quiet haven if you own personal stereo systems, hairdryers, blenders, vacuum cleaners, power lawn mowers, leaf blowers, chain saws, and other power tools. These appliances not only can cause hearing loss, but also pose a risk for stress-related health problems.
  
• Noise in the School: Studies show that children's learning is negatively affected by noise in the classroom. Additionally, hearing conservation is critical for the vocational student who may be exposed to dangerous levels of noise on a regular basis.
  
• Recreational Noise: Having fun should never harm your health. Sports such as speed boating, auto racing, and snow mobiling can pose a risk for both operators and spectators. Noise exposures from riding motorcycles, dirt bikes and motor scooters can create a hearing loss as well.
  

Pay Attention to the Warning Signs

Noise-induced hearing loss occurs gradually and without pain. But there are certain indications to suggest that there may be a problem. Some warning signs to watch for:

• A ringing or buzzing (tinnitus) in the ears immediately after exposure to noise
  
• A slight muffling of sounds after exposure so that it's difficult to understand people when you leave a noisy area
  
• Difficulty understanding speech; that is, you can hear all the words, but you can't understand all of them.
  

If you experience any of these early warning signs, have your hearing tested by a qualified audiologist, and/or have your ears examined by an ear doctor.

How to Protect Yourself...

• Pay attention to the noise around you.
  
• Ask your neighbors to turn down the volume when high levels of noise exist, and if you're not satisfied, ask local officials for help.
  
• Give your ears a break and limit use of noisy toys and other loud appliances.
  
• Listen to personal stereo systems at safe levels. A rule of thumb: if others can hear the music while you wear the headphones, the music is too loud.
  
• Wear adequate hearing protection, such as custom-molded earplugs, commercially available earplugs or earmuffs, when you must be in a noisy environment.
  
• Avoid or limit time spent at noisy sporting events, rock concerts, nightclubs, etc.