{"id":4506,"date":"2022-02-28T15:48:01","date_gmt":"2022-02-28T21:48:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.northwestpharmacy.com\/healthperch\/?p=4506"},"modified":"2022-03-01T15:33:42","modified_gmt":"2022-03-01T21:33:42","slug":"how-to-prevent-noise-induced-hearing-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.northwestpharmacy.com\/healthperch\/how-to-prevent-noise-induced-hearing-loss","title":{"rendered":"How to Prevent Noise-Induced Hearing Loss"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We\u2019ve all experienced the side effects of too much noise. Maybe you can still hear your ears buzzing after a concert. Or maybe you\u2019ve just had a fun night out with your friends, and you notice that everything sounds a little dimmer when you leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fact is the world is a loud place. And often we don\u2019t realize how much our ears are being impacted. Noise-induced hearing loss, or NIHL, can be caused by any of the above scenarios, and many other everyday encounters, like that annoying jackhammer on your way to work or the leaf blower that seems to start every Saturday at 7 a.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, according to the National Institute of Health<\/a>, between 10 million and 40 million adults in the United States under age 70 may have hearing loss in one or both ears after exposure to loud noise. That\u2019s as much as 24 percent of U.S. adults! And one study suggests as many as 17 percent of teens<\/a> may already be experiencing NIHL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, you\u2019ll learn more about NIHL and how to prevent it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

NIHL is hearing loss that occurs after exposure to loud sounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes NIHL can be caused by a one-time exposure to an intense sound<\/a>. For instance, if you\u2019re standing right next to an explosion, your hearing will likely be impacted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More commonly, NIHL is caused by continuous exposure to loud noise, for instance when you\u2019re next to a construction zone, listening to live music, or running the lawnmower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our smartphones may also be to blame for NIHL. The World Report on Hearing<\/a>, released in March 2021 by the World Health Organization, estimated that more than half of people ages 12 to 35 used their smartphones or other personal audio devices so loudly that it could impact their hearing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Loud is Too Loud?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although people have different levels of sensitivity to noise, long-term exposure to noises over 85 decibels<\/a> (dB) can cause hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A decibel is a measure of sound\u2019s volume<\/a>. Decibels are measured logarithmically. That means for every 10 dB increase, the sound is actually 10 timeslouder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how loud is 85 decibels<\/a>? A blender, heavy traffic, an alarm clock, a passing train, a hair dryer, or a movie in a theater all register at around 85 dB.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes you may be exposed to even louder noises. Common 100 dB noises\u2014 and, remember, that\u2019s 15 times louder than 85 dB noises \u2014 are motorcycles or some factory noises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other common noises are even louder<\/a>. Concerts are typically about 120 dB. Fire and ambulance sirens can be as loud as 129 dB. And fireworks? They can be as loud as 160 dB! Ouch!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Professions Are Most at Risk for NIHL?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Professionals who are exposed to noises over 85 dBs for extended periods of time are most at risk of NIHL. When noise reaches over 100 dB, just 15 minutes of exposure<\/a> can cause permanent damage. Below are professions where workers are commonly exposed to this level of noise and above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n