Hearing Loss:
Avoiding Hearing Loss
By Dr. Ben Kim
DrBenKim.comDo you know someone who is gradually losing his or her hearing?
It is estimated that 10 million Americans suffer with noise-induced hearing loss. In fact, noise is one of the most common occupational hazards today, with as many as 30 million Americans being exposed to harmful noise levels at work.
We register sound through little hairs that vibrate in our inner ears in response to different noises. When these hairs are exposed to a sudden burst of very loud noise, or to a steady stream of fairly loud noise, they can become damaged, resulting in hearing loss. Sound pressure is measured in decibels (dB). Here are some everyday sounds and their average decibel rankings:
Very faint, rustling leaves: 5
Whisper: 20
Rainfall: 50
Typical speech: 60
Washing machine: 75
Busy city traffic: 85
Hair dryer: 90
Leaf blower, rock concert, chainsaw: 110
Ambulance, jack hammer: 120
Jet plane from 100 feet: 130
Fireworks, gunshot: 140
12-gauge shotgun: 165How loud is too loud? Steady exposure to noise that reaches 85 dB can produce hearing loss. A one-time exposure to very loud noises like a gunshot at 140 dB can also cause hearing loss. Listening to a discman or walkman at a standard volume level of 5 for 15 minutes a day is enough to cause permanent damage.
Since you probably don’t walk around with a meter that allows you to measure dB, a good rule of thumb is that if you have to raise your voice in order to be heard by a person who is a couple of feet away, the noise level is considered hazardous. Another practical measure is to carefully observe for ringing in your ears or if sounds feel flat or dull after leaving a noisy environment. If either of these conditions are present, you were probably exposed to a hazardous level of noise.
If you are exposed to potentially harmful noises at work or home, I recommend that you strongly consider using expandable or pre-molded earplugs. You can find them at almost any pharmacy. An alternative is to use earmuffs, although they might not provide the same protection as earplugs that sit snug in your external ear canal.
If you have children who like to listen to music on their walkmans or in their cars, please share this newsletter with them. They need to be aware of the increased risk of hearing loss that they face later in their lives because of their choices today.
For more information about noise-induced hearing loss and what you can do to prevent it, please visit the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/
Improve Your Health With Our Free E-mail Newsletter
Join thousands of people from all over the world who receive our natural health newsletter.
- 100% free. You can unsubscribe anytime.
- No spam. We respect and protect your privacy at all times.
- Valuable information that you can use to improve the quality of your health and life.
Reviews
Just a note to let you know how much I appreciate your newsletter. As a fellow health care provider (optometrist) and medical researcher, I find your distillation of the literature into lay terms to be accurate and very understandable. I really enjoyed your contribution regarding macular degeneration. Keep up the good work. - Kristine Erickson, OD, PhD, FAAO
I get a lot of e-mailed newsletters and yours is the only one I read thoroughly from top to bottom. Your advice is enlightening, educational, easy to follow and it works! Thank you so much for all that you offer. - Lisa Abramovic
Thanks for your excellent health newsletter. I look forward to it every week. Thanks for providing the best online health resource I have found. - Moorea Maguire
I'm sure as a doctor you hear your share of complaints. I just thought you'd like to know that there's at least one person in your "e-audience" that appreciates the time and effort you put into sending the emails. I really look forward to them. - Linda H., Raleigh, North Carolina
Many of my adult ESL students are Korean, and enjoy bits and pieces from your newsletter that I have shared with them. In addition to your logical approach to health, I enjoy sharing your newsletter because your English is unfailingly correct as well as easily understood. Thank you for your beautiful approach to life. - J. Zetterstrom
I thank you and your staff for such a great website. I am former National Level Bodybuilder so I know a thing or two about health and fitness. Your site is very valuable and I do my best to pass it on to friends and people I train. It is also a helpful resource in my career as a human service provider working with clients who need to recover from substance abuse. I believe a major part of recovery is getting your body and mind feeling healthy and strong. Thank you again! Great Website! - Michael Christopher, MSW
I truly appreciate your wonderful newsletter - your balanced and professional way of looking at issues is so helpful! - Erica H.
Click Here to share this page with your friends, website visitors, ezine readers, social followers and other online contacts.
Disclaimer: Throughout this website, statements are made pertaining to the properties and/or functions of food and/or nutritional products. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and these materials and products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Health & Beyond Online
P.O. Box 755
Earl, NC 28038-0755Contact Us
License, Terms of Use, and Privacy PolicyClick here for Other Chet Day Websites
Health & Beyond Online and Content
Copyright © 1993-2010 by Chet Day
