How Noise Affects Hearing

Exposure to loud noise is one of the most common causes of hearing loss, second only to aging. The effect of noise exposure is highest in males and can vary from person to person.

The inner ear contains hair cells that change sound waves into nerve impulses that are sent to the brain. Loud sounds damage these hair cells and cause sensory hearing loss. This usually occurs first with the higher pitched sounds. Ringing in the ear often accompanies this type of hearing loss.

Acoustic trauma is damage caused by very loud sounds, such as explosions, gunshot, firecrackers, or engines. The damage is immediate with permanent hearing loss.

Repeated exposure to moderate noise levels caused by power tools, chain saws, or loud music affects hearing as well. This noise-induced type of hearing loss may go unnoticed for a while. What happens is a temporary reduction in hearing sensitivity after exposure to loud noise. Over time, the damage progresses and begins to affect the region of hearing needed to understand speech. The loss becomes permanent after repeated exposure. The longer the duration of the sound, the less loud a sound has to be to damage the ear.

Most noise damage is preventable. If you need to raise your voice above the noise in a room to be heard by someone an arm's length away, you should leave the area. The room's noise level is probably too loud to be safe for a long period of time. This is also true for headsets. If you can hear the music coming from your child's headset to a Walkman, the loud volume puts your child's hearing at risk and should be lowered.

When exposed to noise, wear hearing protection devices, such as ear muffs or ear plugs. Hunters and target shooters should wear ear protection when firing guns. The government requires employers to provide hearing protection for employees in noisy work areas.

Noise-induced hearing loss is cumulative and progressive. With proper precautions, the effects can be minimized. If you suspect a hearing loss, contact your healthcare provider for a hearing exam.

Copyright (c) 1998. HBO & Company (602) 230-7575. All Rights Reserved.