University of Iowa Health Science Relations and
Richard Tyler, MS, BSC, PhD
Professor of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery/Speech Pathology & Audiology
First Published: November 2000
Last Revised: March 2004
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed

It's as inevitable as fireworks on the Fourth of July or loud music at a rock concert. Almost everyone loses some hearing ability as they age, but precautions now can help prevent hearing loss later, no matter how many fireworks displays you see.

"One of the most common causes of hearing loss is noise exposure," says Dr. Richard Tyler, Professor and Director of Audiology in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Iowa College of Medicine and UI Hospitals and Clinics. "It is unfortunate that some people think it is a status symbol of strength to leave their ears unprotected. Because hearing loss isn't always noticeable right away, people don't pay attention to the warnings until it's too late. Avoiding loud noises or protecting your ears with foam-tip earplugs can help protect against hearing loss."

People who work in factories or on a farm and those who use firearms recreationally or on the job are at increased risk for losing their hearing. Using loud machinery at home, such as lawn mowers or power tools, also can cause hearing loss.

Most sounds you hear begin as air disturbances that produce sound waves. These waves are channeled through the ear canal to hit the eardrum, causing vibrations. This moves tiny bones behind the eardrum, and the vibration is felt in the fluid in the inner ear. The fluid moves tiny hairs that convert the vibrations in the fluid into nerve impulses, which are then transmitted to the brain. Loud noises, over time, can make the hair cells disappear.

"You have 50,000 to 60,000 of these hair cells, but once you lose them, your hearing will never sound perfect again," Tyler says. "When you wear ear protectors, you're saving the little hairs."

Attending a moderately loud concert or listening to a radio through earphones at a moderate level probably won't damage your hearing, Tyler says. However, if you leave a concert and your ears ring for several hours, this is a warning sign that you are likely experiencing hearing damage.

If you have a hearing problem that has developed after continuous exposure to loud noises, in most cases, your hearing can be improved, Tyler says. Though little can be done medically or surgically, hearing aids can help.

If you or someone you know is having trouble hearing, see your physician and an audiologist, Tyler says.