Information On Noise Induced Hearing Loss
Friday, November 19, 2010
38 million Americans, approximately 12% of the US population, suffer from hearing impairment. This disability can have a negative affect on ones life-style, work-life and personality, so any attempt to reduce it is important to follow. The main types for hearing loss amongst the adult population are age related (Presbycusis) and noise induced. Age related hearing loss takes place when the body ages, and there are no means to prevent this natural process from affecting ones hearing. The same is not true when noise induced hearing impairment is concerned.
Hearing loss is divided into mild, moderate and profound based on a level of hearing a normal person would have. For example, mild hearing loss is defined as a loss of 20-39 decibels, while profound hearing loss is defined as a loss of greater than 90 decibels.
Suffering from reduced hearing may have an affect on your life in one of two ways. In terms of your social life, you may experience withdraw symptoms from your surroundings, loss of intimacy, problems at work and reduced sexual interest. It may also include psychological problems such as feelings of embarrassment, worry, anxiety, lack of concentration. Luckily noise induced hearing loss is very much preventable.
How To Reduce Hearing Loss:
1. Do not put yourself in harms' way - you should actively avoid situations where your hearing might be damaged. For example, exposure to a noisy subway, for just 15 minutes a day may cause permanent damage, listening to an MP3 player at high volumes overtime can cause permanent damage to hearing and these are just two examples of how we put ourselves in harms' way.
2. Wear hearing protection - they might not be the most fashionable accessories, but hearing protection will greatly reduce noise induced hearing loss. At work, if you are given hearing protection and trained on how to use them, be it muffs or ear plugs; always wear them. At your private life, you should remember not put yourself in harms' way and wear protection when you need to.
3. Take action - if you feel you are placed in a situation which may harm your hearing you should voice your concerns and when possible take action. In your private life they to disconnect from the loud sounds source, while at work you should share your employers. In the work place, employers are encouraged to undertake regular noise measurements, to move to quieter equipment, to offer noise protection aids and regular hearing test, however you should still take action when you need to.
4. Follow processes and guidelines - it is your responsibility to ensure that you understand what is required from you in noisy places when processes and regulations are in place. You should follow local laws, obey signs and listen to people of authority who are trained to protect you.
If you suspect that your hearing might be damaged, visit your family doctor or audiologist for a hearing test. The test is simple and not intrusive. An early detection of hearing loss is important because the longer you wait before treatment, the longer your sound processing areas within the brain are left without stimulation.
Hearing loss is divided into mild, moderate and profound based on a level of hearing a normal person would have. For example, mild hearing loss is defined as a loss of 20-39 decibels, while profound hearing loss is defined as a loss of greater than 90 decibels.
Suffering from reduced hearing may have an affect on your life in one of two ways. In terms of your social life, you may experience withdraw symptoms from your surroundings, loss of intimacy, problems at work and reduced sexual interest. It may also include psychological problems such as feelings of embarrassment, worry, anxiety, lack of concentration. Luckily noise induced hearing loss is very much preventable.
How To Reduce Hearing Loss:
1. Do not put yourself in harms' way - you should actively avoid situations where your hearing might be damaged. For example, exposure to a noisy subway, for just 15 minutes a day may cause permanent damage, listening to an MP3 player at high volumes overtime can cause permanent damage to hearing and these are just two examples of how we put ourselves in harms' way.
2. Wear hearing protection - they might not be the most fashionable accessories, but hearing protection will greatly reduce noise induced hearing loss. At work, if you are given hearing protection and trained on how to use them, be it muffs or ear plugs; always wear them. At your private life, you should remember not put yourself in harms' way and wear protection when you need to.
3. Take action - if you feel you are placed in a situation which may harm your hearing you should voice your concerns and when possible take action. In your private life they to disconnect from the loud sounds source, while at work you should share your employers. In the work place, employers are encouraged to undertake regular noise measurements, to move to quieter equipment, to offer noise protection aids and regular hearing test, however you should still take action when you need to.
4. Follow processes and guidelines - it is your responsibility to ensure that you understand what is required from you in noisy places when processes and regulations are in place. You should follow local laws, obey signs and listen to people of authority who are trained to protect you.
If you suspect that your hearing might be damaged, visit your family doctor or audiologist for a hearing test. The test is simple and not intrusive. An early detection of hearing loss is important because the longer you wait before treatment, the longer your sound processing areas within the brain are left without stimulation.
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