We are constantly absorbing varying levels of noise throughout the day. From waking up to an alarm clock, using household appliances, to listening to music and watching TV – noise is part of daily life. But did you know that loud noise exposure is a common cause of hearing loss? Taking the time to take inventory of the everyday activities you participate in that could be potentially hazardous to hearing health is a useful safety precaution. Practicing ways to monitor your noise exposure can prevent you from experiencing strain on your hearing.
Noise Induced Hearing Loss
One time or consistent exposure to loud noise can irreparably damage hearing. Noise induced hearing loss occurs when hair cells in the inner ear are damaged. These sensory cells are an integral component of the auditory system – the sensory system for hearing. They receive incoming sound waves and convert them into electrical signals. These signals get carried to the brain via the auditory nerve where they are further processed and assigned meaning to, which is what allows us to understand what we hear. Loud noise can cause hair cells in the inner ear to become desensitized, reducing their capacity to perform their function. Unlike other types of cells we have, hair cells in the inner ear do not regenerate. There are also no medical treatments that restore or correct any damage they experience, resulting in permanent hearing loss. It is important to know that this type of hearing loss is absolutely preventable. Being aware of the noise you regularly absorb is a key way to protect your hearing.
How Loud is Too Loud?
You are likely wondering how loud noise has to be to affect your hearing. Well, sound is measured in decibels (dB) and noise above 85dB can be potentially dangerous for hearing health. This is the equivalent of busy city traffic, a hair dryer, and blender. The threshold that experts have agreed is that people can be exposed to 85dB of noise for 8 hours a day without impacting their health. But exceeding this volume requires people to significantly adjust how long they are exposed to that noise.
The general rule of thumb is to reduce exposure time by half for every 3 decibel increase of noise (after 85dB). The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OHSA) outlines safety guidelines for listening which include:
- 85dB: 8 hours
- 88dB: 4 hours
- 91dB: 2 hours
- 94dB: 30min
In order to know how long you can absorb varying noises, you would have to be aware of the noise level. This would inform your exposure time and ensure that you are not surpassing these time limits and harming your hearing health.
Everyday Activities That Could Harm Hearing
Though most assume that noise levels have to be extremely loud to damage hearing, there are actually everyday noises that we are exposed to that can be hazardous. Common examples include:
Household appliances: an array of household appliances that you may use daily produce noise near or above 85dB:
- blenders, food processors – up to 100dB
- power tools: drills, chainsaw etc. – up to 110dB
- lawn mower, leaf blower, vacuum cleaner, hair dryer: up to 90dB
Social activities: there is a wide range of social activities that expose people to high levels of noise. Examples include:
- parties, loud restaurants, bars: 85-90dB
- attending a game in a sports arena or concert in a stadium: up to 110dB
Electronic devices: one of the most common sources of loud noise exposure is listening to audio from personal devices. This includes using earbuds or headphones to listen to music or podcasts from your phone. This can get up to 100dB at the highest volume setting.
If you take a moment to create an inventory of the types of noises you are regularly around in your daily life, what does it look like? Being aware of these noise levels and ways to mitigate the harm it can do to your hearing health is important.
Tips to Protect Hearing Health
There are numerous ways you can protect your hearing from loud noise. A few tips include:
- Wear hearing protection: headphones, earmuffs, earbuds.
- Measure noise levels: download an app to measure the decibels of noise you are absorbing and adjust your exposure time accordingly.
- Reduce noise exposure: avoid louder settings during peak hours, opt for quieter spaces, maintain low volume settings etc.
- Hearing test: have your hearing regularly evaluated so you can identify changes you may experience.
Contact us to learn more about hearing protection and ways you can prioritize your hearing health.