Everyday Noises that Could Cause Hearing Loss

One of the most common health problems in the United States is hearing loss. One in three adults over 65 and half of all adults over 75 have hearing loss. It’s time to start seriously thinking about what you can do now and in the future to protect your hearing.

Did you know that loud sounds like heavy traffic, garbage trucks, or riding a motorcycle for about an hour can hurt your hearing? Even if you only spend a few minutes at a rock concert, near a jet engine, or listening to sirens, firecrackers, or chainsaws, you could damage your hearing permanently.

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the most common reasons adults lose their hearing . This is hearing loss caused by being around sounds that are too loud. NIHL can happen in as little as one second if you hear one deafening noise. Noise-induced hearing loss can be caused by anything from jackhammers to gunshots to a night in a bar, and it can last for the rest of your life.

Find out more about the everyday sounds that can damage your hearing.

Sports Venues

Who doesn’t love going to the local stadium to watch a baseball game? Unfortunately, sports arenas are known for being loud, which can hurt your hearing. A stadium full of cheering fans is almost as loud as standing next to a jet engine. At this level, there will be hearing damage. From loud music and screaming fans to fireworks, the three hours you spend cheering for your local team do more damage than you realize.

Concerts

Also bad for your hearing are places like concert halls. The fact that your ears are ringing as you walk back to your car shows that the sound level is way too high. You might have temporary hearing loss or ringing in your ears, but that’s not the end of the story.

Temporary hearing loss is a sign of something much worse because it means that the delicate cells in your inner ear have been damaged in a way that can’t be fixed. It takes 15 minutes at a rock concert for someone to cause permanent damage to their ears.

City Noises

You’re wrong if you think only loud sounds can cause hearing loss. Your hearing also gets worse when you live in a city.

With the honking on your daily commute, the screeching subway brakes, the noisy construction site you have to drive by every day, and the music playing in your favorite cafe, these constant sounds wear down your hearing every day, never letting your ears rest and causing permanent hearing loss.

Earbuds

Have you thought about what you listen to every day? Every time you put earbuds in your ears—on the bus to work, at the gym, or while walking the dog—you put your hearing at risk.

When the sounds around you get too loud, it can be tempting to turn up the volume. The problem is that earbuds can blast sounds very close to your sensitive eardrum that is too loud. If you listen to something loudly, you’ll lose your hearing in just a few minutes.

To protect your hearing, don’t turn up the volume higher than 60%, and take breaks to give your ears a break.

Don’t ignore hearing loss

Most adults notice signs of hearing loss when they are in their 40s or 50s. You may have noticed that you don’t hear as well as you used to. For example, you might need help hearing your friends at the bar or miss the phone ringing. Many people ignore these signs for years, which is a bad idea. Americans wait an average of five to seven years before getting help for hearing loss.

Do you think your hearing loss isn’t affecting your life or that it’s not that bad yet? Hearing loss affects every part of your life, like your ability to play with your grandchildren, spend quality time with your spouse, talk to your kids on the phone, or enjoy taking your dog to the dog park. Every day you wait for help, your hearing worsens, and you can never get it back.

Don’t miss any more chances to spend time with the people you care about. If you have trouble hearing, see us today for a hearing test so we can help you find the right hearing aid.