Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Hearing loss resulting from either chronic exposure to loud noises, or exposure to extremely loud bursts of noise.
Part of: Hearing Loss, Sensorineural Hearing Loss
About Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Our ears are constantly exposed to sounds, some of which can be damaging. Noise above 140 decibels, like a loud explosion, can lead to acute hearing loss. This is called acoustic trauma. Depending on how long the ears are exposed to the sound and how intense it is, it may damage the eardrum, the middle ear and/or the inner ear. Damage like this is usually temporary, but some hearing loss may remain. Less loud sounds (about 90 dB and above) can also lead to chronic hearing loss if someone is regularly exposed to them. Examples include hearing impairments caused by listening to loud music a lot (for example over headphones), or working with pneumatic drills without enough ear protection.
You can protect your hearing in various ways. Foam ear plugs offer protection against occasional noise. Special protective ear muffs are an alternative option. These are like headphones that completely cover and surround both ears, and can easily be put on or taken off at any time. People who work with loud machinery, for instance in industry or road building, are required to use ear protection. If you are regularly exposed to loud noises at work, it can be a good idea to have ear protection tailor-made to fit your ears….Read more about Noise-Induced Hearing Loss IQWiG – Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care