It is general knowledge that as we age we lose our hearing. Interestingly, a significant amount of our hearing loss as we age comes from the recreational activities that we exposed our ears to during our younger years. It is thought that one-third of our high school students have hearing loss. If we start having hearing loss in high school, then it is no wonder that we have significant hearing loss as we become older. But having a significant hearing loss as we age does not have to be something accepted and expected. There are steps we can all take to help mitigate our hearing loss.
Noise does more damage to the auditory system than people realize. The risk of noise exposure is widespread, affecting musicians, dentists, airport personnel, construction workers, mechanics, hunters, motor sport enthusiasts, concert goers, school band members, etc. Noise exposure is accumulative. Every exposure compounds with previous exposures to increase the likelihood of permanent hearing loss. Hearing loss may occur after the initial exposure to noise or hearing loss may occur after repeated exposure. The robustness of each person's auditory system is different. Therefore, it is unknown if permanent hearing loss will require one exposure or a hundred exposures.
Firearms: Shooting firearms without hearing protection is the most common cause of recreational noise-induced hearing loss. It is not common that someone suffers a permanent hearing loss from firing one round. What is common from firing one round is a complaint of tinnitus (ringing in the ear). It should be noted that tinnitus is often a precursor and warning of permanent hearing loss that will occur with continued insult to the ear. The loudness of firearms depends on many factors such as bore diameter, muzzle length, and amount of gunpowder. A shot from a small rifle will average a peak dB SPL of 140 while a large pistol will average a peak dB SPL of 160. The threshold of pain for most people is 120 dB SPL. OSHA requires employers to provide hearing protection for exposure to noise above 90 dB SPL.
Music: The ear buds that people wear in their ears to listen to their MP3 players, will cause hearing loss if they are not used properly. The majority of ear buds on the market do not limit their sound output to an appropriate level. Therefore, it is up the individual to monitor the loudness. Our children usually make the mistake of listening to music too loudly; hence, hearing loss in high school. Further, people are increasing the volume to block out the background noise in their environment. This detrimental cycle harms hearing. Harmful effects of music also come from bars, dance clubs, school bands, and concerts. There is little difference in the hearing loss symptoms experienced between music and firearms.
Motorized Toys: Tractor pulls, ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, NASCAR, drag racing, jet skis, lawn mowers, etc. have the potential to harm our hearing. Limited or one-time use of these activities will not likely create a hearing loss. However, noise exposure is accumulative. Therefore, overtime if these activities are weekend outings, then hearing loss will likely occur.
Children's Toys: In 2003, we became aware that children's toys are too loud when considering the child is usually on the ground with the toy less than an arm's length from their ears. A voluntary standard was proposed by the American Society for Testing and Materials. This standard is voluntary. If a toy is loud for an adult when the toy is at half an arm's length then it will be exponentially harmful to a child or baby.
There is not one person who does not have the potential for hearing loss due to recreational fun. However, we can still have fun while protecting our hearing. We can still have it loud and fun. We can protect our hearing inconspicuously or dazzling depending upon your style. We have hearing protection, musician plugs, musician monitors, ear buds, and more that will be designed specifically for you depending upon the noise you are trying to reduce and the noise we are allowing to pass through to your hearing. It is never too late to start protecting our ears and preserving the hearing we have left.
Please call one of our thirteen offices to discuss how to protect your hearing while still having fun with your hobbies.
