It’s extremely common for people to have loss of hearing caused by repeated exposure to loud noise. If you are continuously around noise that that is over 85 decibels, your hearing could be irreversibly impaired.
Exactly How Does Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Work?
There are tiny hair cells in your inner ear which can be irreversibly harmed by loud noise. This is known as sensorineural hearing loss.
Noise-induced hearing loss can be caused by long-term subjection to extremely high levels of noise, which leads to a gradual degeneration of your hearing. It can also be caused by a single event of a loud burst of noise that can immediately cause loss of hearing.
Work and recreational activities account for 17% of hearing loss in people between 20 and 69. Here are some examples of noises that can lead to hearing loss:
- Loud headphoness
- Busy Traffic
- Jackhammers
- Jet engines
- Emergency Vehicles
- Motorcycles
- Nearby fireworks
- Chainsaws
Is it Reversible?
Although scientists are making advancements, presently, there isn’t a cure for noise induced hearing loss. If you’ve been exposed to a loud noise, you need to consult a doctor as soon as possible, because some of the lasting damage is due to swelling in the ear. If you could reduce the swelling you may be able to reduce some lasting damage. The hair cells inside of your inner ear are responsible for sending sound waves to your brain. If noise harms or kills them, they won’t regenerate. This means that your hearing ability will be permanently affected. This is why it is important that you take the necessary steps to safeguard your hearing, and if you are exposed to a loud noise, that you speak with a specialist as soon as possible.
Research to Tackle The Issue
There is presently no solution for this condition. However, scientists are searching for ways to repair noise-related hearing loss. There are clinical trials, for example, that are attempting to restore these hairs with an experimental drug. If scientists were capable of getting this drug to work, these hairs would be able to regenerate and we may be able to address noise and age induced hearing loss.
Protect Your Remaining Hearing
While hearing loss that is a result of noise cannot be repaired (yet), you are capable of taking specific measures to prevent hearing loss or save the remaining hearing that you have. Some things you can do include:
- Take regular hearing tests
- If there are places that regularly have loud noise – stay away from them
- Whatever your hearing loss may be, hearing aids could be the solution
- Use the proper hearing protection devices, like earplugs or earmuffs if you work in locations with persistently loud noises
- Limit your exposure to exceedingly noisy activities at home
Really, it’s best to eliminate exposure to loud noise by wearing hearing protection and lowering the volume on all your devices. But if you are exposed, schedule a hearing test.