The World Health Organization reports that 1.1 billion individuals are at an increased risk for noise-induced hearing loss, brought about by exposure to extreme sound levels from personal mp3 devices and very loud environments such as clubs, bars, concerts, and sporting events. An projected 26 million Americans already suffer from the condition.
If noise-induced hearing loss results from direct exposure to excessive sound levels, then what is deemed as excessive? It turns out that any sound higher than 85 decibels is potentially hazardous, and regrettably, many of our regular activities expose us to sounds well above this limit. An portable music player at maximum volume, for example, reaches 105 decibels, and police sirens can hit 130.
So is hearing loss an inescapable consequence of our over-amplified world? Not if you make the right decisions, because it also happens that noise-induced hearing loss is 100% preventable.
Here are six ways you can save your hearing:
1. Use custom earplugs
The ideal way to prevent hearing loss is to stay away from loud noise completely. Of course, for most people that would lead to leaving their jobs and dropping their plans to watch their favorite band perform live in concert.
But don’t worry, you don’t have to live like a hermit to salvage your hearing. If you’re exposed to loud sounds at work, or if you plan on attending a concert, instead of avoiding the noise you can reduce its volume with earplugs. One option is to pick up a low cost pair of foam earplugs at the convenience store, realizing that they will most likely create muffled sound. There is a better option.
Today, several custom earplugs are available that fit comfortably in the ear. Custom earplugs are shaped to the contours of your ear for optimum comfort, and they contain sophisticated electronics that lower sound volume symmetrically across frequencies so that music and speech can be heard clearly and naturally. Contact your local hearing professional for additional information.
2. Maintain a safe distance from the sound source
The inverse square law, as applied to sound, shows that as you double the distance from the source of sound the strength of the sound declines by 75%. This law of physics could quite possibly save your hearing at a rock concert; instead of standing front row next to the speaker system, increase your distance as much as possible, managing the benefits of a good view against a safe distance.
3. Take rest breaks for your ears
Hearing impairment from subjection to loud sound is dependent on three factors:
- the sound level or intensity
- your distance from the sound source
- the amount of time you’re exposed to the sound
You can reduce the intensity level of sound with earplugs, you can increase your distance from the sound source, and you can also lessen your cumulative length of exposure by taking rest breaks from the sound. If you’re at a live concert or in a recording studio, for example, make sure to give your ears routine breaks and time to recuperate.
4. Turn down the music – follow the 60/60 rule
If you regularly listen to music from a portable mp3 music player, make sure you maintain the volume no higher that 60% of the maximum volume for no longer than 60 minutes each day. Higher volume and longer listening times increase the risk of irreversible damage.
5. Buy noise-canceling headphones
The 60/60 rule is very difficult, if not impossible to adhere to in certain listening environments. In the presence of loud background noise, like in a busy city, you have to turn up the volume on your MP3 player to hear the music over the ambient noise.
The remedy? Noise-cancelling headphones. These headphones will filter out ambient sounds so that you can enjoy your music without violating the 60/60 rule.
6. Schedule regular hearing exams
It’s never too early or too late to book a hearing assessment. Along with the ability to identify existing hearing loss, a hearing assessment can also establish a baseline for later comparison.
Ever since hearing loss develops gradually, it is difficult to notice. For most people, the only way to know if hearing loss is present is to have a professional hearing examination. But you shouldn’t wait until after the harm is done to schedule an appointment; prevention is the best medicine, and your local hearing specialist can offer custom hearing protection solutions so that you can avoid hearing loss altogether.