It’s very common for people to have loss of hearing brought on by repeated exposure to loud noise. Your hearing can be irreversibly impaired if you spend a lot of time exposed to noise that exceeds 85 dB.
What is Noise-Related Hearing Loss?
There are little hair cells inside your inner ear which can be irreversibly harmed by loud noise. This is called sensorineural hearing loss.
Noise-induced hearing loss can be brought on by long-term exposure to extremely high levels of noise, which leads to a gradual decline of your hearing. Instant damage can also happen if you are subjected to a burst of exceptionally damaging noise all of a sudden.
Over 17 percent of individuals between 20 to 69 have hearing loss that is a result of their recreational or work activities. Here are a few examples of noises that can lead to hearing loss:
- Motorcycles
- Busy Traffic
- Sirens
- Jet engines
- Jackhammers
- Loud volume on earphones
- Nearby fireworks
- Chainsaws
Is it Reversible?
Although scientists are making progress, currently, there is no cure for noise induced hearing loss. Some of the damage inside your ear could be the result of swelling so you need to see a doctor if you have been subjected to sudden loud noise. You may be capable of limiting the damage that develops by decreasing inflammation. The hair cells in your inner ear are in control of transmitting sound waves to your brain. If noise damages or destroys them, they won’t regenerate. So once they are gone, irreversible hearing loss is the consequence. This is why it is essential that you take the necessary steps to safeguard your hearing, and if you’re exposed to a loud noise, that you consult a specialist as soon as possible.
Addressing The Problem With Research
This condition is currently incurable. But restoring noise-induced hearing loss is top priority for researchers. There are clinical trials, for instance, that are trying to restore these hairs with an experimental drug. If scientists were able to get this drug to work, these hairs would be able to restore and we may be able to address noise and age induced hearing loss.
Safeguard Your Remaining Hearing
Noise induced hearing loss can’t be cured but if you take certain steps to safeguard your ears, the hearing you have left can be preserved into the future. You can:
- Limit your exposure to very noisy activities at home
- If there are places that regularly have loud noise – stay away from them
- If you work in an occupation that has persistently loud noise, use the appropriate hearing protection
- Whatever your hearing loss may be, hearing aids could be the solution
- Take routine hearing exams
Lowering the volume on your devices, using ear protection, and staying away from overly loud noise is the best way to safeguard your hearing. Schedule a hearing test if you have been exposed to loud noise.