Permanent hearing loss can occur when one is exposed to what?

Answer 1

Hearing loss by noise exposure occurs when the cochlea or Inner Ear is exposed to excessive noise levels that can cause temporary or permanent damage to ones hearing.

We use a baseline that sound levels over 85dB will cause hearing loss and that hearing protection is manatory when exposed. Cell phones, televisions, personal entertianment devices, lawn mowers, power tools, sports or entertainment forums all can easly cause hearing loss. Everyday sounds you find outside can also cause hearing loss and we call that noise pollution. Noise exposure will be the leading cause of hearing loss in people aged between 20 - 60 years old.

Noise levels that cause hearing loss can be long term or short term and is determined by the intensity of decible range (loudness)and frequency versus time exposure to that sound.

Best described it is your exposure time against the intesity of the volume levels. You can be exposed to low levels over longer periods and shorter period with more intense levels.

Very much like being exposed to radiation. We can all be exposed to radition with temporary or little effect or be very harmed by it. Long term exposure to low doses or short term doses at high levels can extremely harmful. So the longer you are exposed to intense sound the more likely you will get hearing loss and most likely permanent loss. It may take 1 second as a jet fighter takes off or 20 years listening to traffic you can have noise induced hearing loss. Anyone that has been to a rock concert can remember the "amplifer hum" after the concert and feeling deafened, that was hearing loss due to noise exposure. Hopefully your hearing came back but it was a signed that you damaged your hearing and may come back later like exposure to the sun to haunt you.

We have determine that noise levels measures at 85dB or greater can cause hearing loss. We us a sound level meter to measure or weight noise by peak levels or long term levels by intensity and also by frequency. We can determine if the sound levels are dangerouse and recommeded protection. The human part effected is the hearing nerves that cannot be replaced, so most noise induced hearing loss is permanent. How can we determine noise exposure has caused a hearing loss? Ususally , client history current and if possible past hearing tests . There is in most cases a distinct shape of hearing loss in tested frequencys that can effect one ear or both ears and previous hearing tests are available we can see if and what changes have occured.

What can you do about it? Not much except possible use of a hearing aid to help with the hearing loss and protection what hearing is left. There is little medically at this time that can be done as far as repairing the damage.

So allways use hearing protection, turn down your iPod and cell phone and just be lucky you are not driving in the car that you can hear playing music a mile away. There is available. There is enough available hearing protection the can be specific for your hearing needs and uses so use them.