It’s very common for people to have hearing loss brought on by continued subjection to loud noise. If you are always around noise that exceeds 85 decibels, your hearing might be irreversibly impaired.
What is Noise-Related Hearing Loss?
There are tiny hair cells inside your inner ear which can be irreversibly harmed by loud noise. This is called sensorineural hearing loss.
Noise-related hearing loss can be caused by long-term subjection to very high levels of noise, which causes a gradual deterioration of your hearing. Instant damage can also occur if you are subjected to a burst of exceptionally damaging noise all at once.
More than 17 percent of individuals between the ages of 20 and 69 have hearing loss that is caused by their recreational or work activities. Some examples of noises that can cause hearing loss might include:
- Emergency Vehicles
- Loud volume on earphones
- Motorcycles
- Chainsaws
- Jackhammers
- Busy Traffic
- Nearby fireworks
- Jet engines
Is it Reversible?
There is presently no remedy for noise-induced hearing loss (though scientists are working on it). If you’ve been exposed to a loud noise, you need to consult a doctor as soon as possible, because some of the long-term damage is due to inflammation in the ear. You may be capable of limiting the damage that develops by decreasing inflammation. Waves of sound are sent to the brain by the little hair cells in the ear. If noise damages or kills them, they won’t regenerate. So once they are gone, irreversible hearing loss is the consequence. Safeguarding your ears, then, should be top priority, and consulting a specialist if you’re presently having hearing trouble.
Approaching The Problem With Research
This condition is presently not curable. However, researchers are searching for ways to restore noise-related hearing loss. For example, some studies are in clinical trials right now that are evaluating whether a drug can repair the growth of the little hairs in the ear. Age-induced hearing loss and loud noise can harm these hairs, but restoration would help restore hearing if scientists are capable of getting the drug to work.
Protect Your Remaining Hearing
While hearing loss that is a result of noise cannot be restored (yet), you are able to take certain steps to avoid hearing loss or save the remaining hearing that you have. You can:
- Get tested routinely
- Keep away from places that continuously have loud noises
- Reduce your exposure to extremely noisy activities at home
- If you work in an occupation that has consistently loud noise, use the appropriate hearing protection
- Treat any hearing loss you have with hearing aids
Really, it’s best to avoid exposure to loud noise by wearing hearing protection and keeping the volume down on all your devices. Make an appointment for a hearing test if you have been exposed to loud noise.