It’s extremely common for people to have loss of hearing brought on by repeated exposure to loud noise. If you are constantly around noise that exceeds 85 decibels, your hearing may be irreversibly impaired.
What is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?
This is a form of sensorineural hearing loss where hair cells inside of your inner ear are permanently damaged by noise.
Noise-induced hearing loss can be caused by long-term exposure to very high levels of noise, which leads to a gradual degeneration of your hearing. Instant damage can also occur if you are exposed to a burst of extremely damaging noise all of a sudden.
More than 17 percent of people between 20 to 69 have hearing loss that is caused by their work or recreational activities. Here are some examples of noises that can result in hearing loss:
- Jet engines
- Chainsaws
- Motorcycles
- Emergency Vehicles
- Construction equipment
- Loud headphoness
- Nearby fireworks
- Busy Traffic
Is it Reversible?
There is presently no cure for noise-related hearing loss (though scientists are working on it). If you’ve been subjected to a loud noise, you should see a doctor right away, because some of the long-term damage is due to inflammation in the ear. If you could minimize the inflammation you might be able to reduce some permanent damage. Waves of sound are transmitted to the brain by the little hair cells inside of the ear. They never regenerate once they are destroyed. Meaning that your ability to hear will be permanently impacted. Protecting your ears, then, should be top priority, and seeing a specialist if you are presently having hearing trouble.
Approaching The Issue With Research
There is presently no cure for this condition. However, scientists are looking for ways to restore noise-induced hearing loss. There are clinical trials, for instance, that are attempting to restore these hairs with an experimental drug. If scientists were capable of getting this drug to work, these hairs would be able to regenerate and we may be able to address noise and age induced hearing loss.
Protect Your Remaining Hearing
While hearing loss that is caused by noise cannot be repaired (yet), you are capable of taking specific measures to reduce hearing loss or protect the remaining hearing that you have. You can:
- Get tested regularly
- Use the proper hearing protection devices, like earmuffs or earplugs if you work in places with consistently loud noises
- Reduce your exposure to exceedingly noisy activities at home
- Whatever your hearing loss might be, hearing aids could be the answer
- If there are places that always have loud noise – avoid them
Lowering the volume on your devices, using ear protection, and avoiding overly loud noise is the best way to safeguard your hearing. Schedule a hearing exam if you have been exposed to loud noise.