Noise-induced hearing loss – Signs, Symptoms & Prevention

In the present time, hearing loss is one of the most common conditions related to ears. If we talk about its causes, it also includes our routine actions like our job, hobbies, and other such kinds of activities. Stated differently, activities concerning with your daily schedule might put you in risk of noise trauma.

What is Noise-induced hearing loss?

Environmental sounds that you experience at home, at work or any other place are generally safe at a certain level and would not cause any sort of damage to your hearing quality. Although, exposure to high-volume of noise, either rapidly or at a repetition can cause noise trauma, stated as sensorineural hearing loss.

Damage to hair cells in the sensory hearing organ known as cochlea or damage to the hearing nerves refers to Sensorineural hearing loss. It may be temporary or permanent depending upon the decibels (dB) of loud sounds, frequency and the length of time. For an instance, when ears come in contact with burdensome sounds for a short time, it may cause temporary hearing loss and you might overcome from that. On the other hand, when ears come in contact with burdensome noises for a long interval of time, it may cause permanent damage to sensorineural hearing loss.

Noise-induced hearing loss relates to the hearing detriment or ear damage due to burdensome noises. Harsh sounds can harm sensitive structures in the inner ear and account noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Additionally, NIHL can be immediate or take some time to be noticeable, and it can affect one or both the ears.

Noise-induced hearing loss – Signs & Symptoms:-

• Striving to hear conversations:- Generally, a person suffering from NIHL struggles to be a part of the conversation especially during communicating over the phone or in a noisy location, like eatery.
• Difficult hearing background noises:-Noise-Induced Hearing Loss challenged person often face trouble to understand speech because of background noises.
• Turning up the TV or Radio:- Generally, a person suffering from NIHL watch TV or listen to the radio at high volume as it is hard for them to understand at low volume sound.
• Constant ringing or buzzing:- A person challenged by Noise-Induced Hearing Loss continuously hear a constant ringing or buzzing in the ear even when there is no sound.
• Sounds are less clear:-During a conversation, a person challenged from Noise-Induced Hearing Loss finds it difficult to understand certain letters such as ‘S’ and ‘T’.

Jobs that may cause Noise-Induced Hearing Loss:-

• Mining
• Wood product manufacturing
• Construction work
• Airport ground staff
• Formula one drivers
• Carpenters
• Nightclub workers, including DJs and musicians
• Factory and farm workers
• Railway workers

Noise-induced hearing loss – Prevention:- 

The good part of NIHL is that it is the only hearing disorder that is absolutely restrainable. If you recognize the risks of sound and how to practice good hearing health, you can preserve your hearing for life. Here’s how:

• Wear earplugs or other protective devices when involved in a loud activity
• Avoid noises above 85 decibels
• If you can’t decrease the sound or protect yourself from it, move away from it
• Go through with a hearing test if you think you might have hearing loss.

At the Audiology Clinic located in Dublin, Mallow, Naas, and Limerick, Dr Deepak Kumar (Audiological Scientist) provide prevention, assessment, and management of patients suffering from any sort of hearing disorder including tinnitus, Balance, Hearing Loss etc.