About
NIHL
NIDCD says that 30 million Americans of all ages are exposed to hazardous
sound levels on a regular basis. Much of this exposure is at work, around
machines and power tools, but people are also exposed to loud noises
at play and at home. Sources of loud noises that can cause NIHL include
motorcycles, firecrackers and small arms fire, all creating sounds from
120 decibels to 140 decibels. Snowmobiles, go-carts, power horns, cap
guns and powered model airplanes can all damage your hearing as well.
Harmful noises at home may come from vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, leaf
blowers and hair dryers.
Both the sensitive hair cells of the inner ear and the nerve that
senses the sound (the auditory nerve see diagram)
are vulnerable to loud noises. Damage can result from either a brief
intense noise like an explosion, or from noises like those produced
by woodworking and power tools. The damage from a brief, intense sound
may be instantaneous and result in an immediate hearing loss that can
be permanent. It may be accompanied by tinnitus, the condition I have
a ringing, buzzing or roaring in the ears. Tinnitus may subside
over time, but it also might continue constantly or intermittently for
the rest of your life.
The damage that occurs over years of exposure to loud noise can also
result in hearing loss or tinnitus. Often the person with the hearing
loss does not recognize the gradual loss, but friends or family may.
Sounds may gradually become distorted or muffled to you, and you may
have difficulty understanding speech. If you suspect a problem, or others
suggest you may be having difficulty hearing for example, because
you turn the television up too loud or have difficulty hearing conversations
in restaurants ask your doctor about getting a hearing test.
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