Bay Audio - Hearing Loss Prevention

As with many illnesses, prevention is far better than cure, so make sure you are looking after your precious hearing every day. At Bay Audio, we’ve come up with a few simple precautions you can take to help your hearing last a lifetime.

Noise is the most common cause of hearing loss. Loud noises can damage the ear’s fragile hair cells, damage which cannot be repaired. The critical noise level is 85 decibels. Noise exceeding this level can cause temporary hearing loss, and prolonged exposure could cause permanent hearing damage to your ears. Earplugs and earmuffs are your best protection.

Did you know that a single shot from a shotgun could permanently damage your hearing in an instant? Scary, isn’t it?

Exposure to loud machinery can also present a serious risk to your hearing, and the effects of noise on hearing are usually underestimated because the damage can take place gradually. Loud noise damages the delicate hair cells in the inner ear, which can result in sensorineural hearing loss and often tinnitus (ringing of the ears).

If you listen to music and audio devices such as iPods and MP3 players or internet sites with headphones at a loud volume or for a prolonged period of time, you could also be doing some serious damage to your ears.

The softest sound that can be heard is 0 dB. Each increase of 10 dB represents an approximate doubling of the perceived loudness of sound. iPods, for example, can reach volumes of over 100 dB, while the maximum ‘safe’ level of noise for an 8 hour period is 85 dB. Each 3 dB increase in sound level cuts the safe listening time in half (e.g. 88 dB for 4 hours).

It is more important than ever to listen responsibly: think about the volume and keep track of listening time. Your ears adapt to higher levels of sound over time, without realising that the higher volume may be harmful to hearing. The louder the volume, the less time required before your hearing may be affected. If you experience ringing in your ears or hear muffled speech, stop using MP3s and have your hearing checked.

There are a few ways you can tell that the noise level is getting too high:

If you can’t hear someone a metre away
If you have to raise your voice to be heard by someone a metre away
Your ears ring, or things sound different after leaving a noisy situation
You have difficulty understanding speech after leaving a noisy situation
If the noise you’re hearing is causing pain in your ears.

What you can do to protect your hearing:

IF IN DOUBT, WEAR HEARING PROTECTION
Foam or silicone earplugs are available at your pharmacy or from Bay Audio and you can buy yourself a set of earmuffs from any hardware store
Always wear your earplugs or earmuffs when working with machinery or going to a concert
If your job brings you into contact with loud noises (farmers, police officers, firemen, builders, construction workers, musicians) make sure you have access to adequate hearing protection
At home, turn down the volume on the television and stereos
Buy quieter equipment i.e. a silenced vacuum cleaner
Give your ears a complete rest for ten minutes every hour.

Hearing Health

Bay Audio - Hearing Loss Prevention