Noise-induced hearing loss is exceptionally common. Your hearing can be irreversibly impaired if you spend a lot of time around noise that is over 85 dB.
Exactly How Does Noise-Related Hearing Loss Work?
This is a kind of sensorineural hearing loss where hair cells in your inner ear are irreversibly destroyed by noise.
Noise-induced hearing loss can be caused by long-term exposure to very high levels of noise, which causes a gradual deterioration of your hearing. Immediate damage can also occur if you are subjected to a burst of exceptionally damaging noise all at once.
Over 17 percent of people between 20 to 69 have hearing loss that is a result of their work or recreational activities. Some illustrations of noises that can result in hearing loss might include:
- Loud headphoness
- Motorcycles
- Busy Traffic
- Nearby fireworks
- Sirens
- Chainsaws
- Jet engines
- Construction equipment
Can it be Reversed?
There is currently no cure for noise-induced hearing loss (though scientists are hard at work on it). Some of the damage inside your ear might be the result of inflammation so you should see a doctor if you’ve been exposed to sudden loud noise. You may be capable of limiting the damage that develops by decreasing swelling. Waves of sound are sent to the brain by the little hair cells inside of the ear. They never regenerate once they are destroyed. So once they are gone, irreversible hearing loss is the result. Protecting your ears, then, should be top priority, and consulting a specialist if you are presently having hearing trouble.
Research to Tackle The Issue
There is presently no cure for this condition. But repairing noise-related hearing loss is top priority for researchers. There are clinical trials, for instance, that are attempting to restore these hairs with an experimental drug. If scientists were capable of getting this drug to work, these hairs would be able to restore and we may be able to overcome noise and age related hearing loss.
Safeguard Your Remaining Hearing
Noise induced hearing loss can’t be healed but if you take specific steps to safeguard your ears, the hearing you have left can be protected into the future. You can:
- If you work in an industry that has persistently loud noise, use the appropriate hearing protection
- Manage any hearing loss you have with hearing aids
- When you’re at home, minimize your exposure to overly loud pursuits
- If there are places that always have loud noise – avoid them
- Undergo regular hearing exams
Lowering the volume on your devices, wearing ear protection, and avoiding overly loud noise is the best way to safeguard your hearing. Make an appointment for a hearing test if you have been exposed to loud noise.
