Professional musicians at greater risk of developing hearing loss

February 28, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Continuous exposure to loud music: that’s what can damage your hearing. Hearing loss starts with recurrent exposure to sounds at or above 85 decibels (decibels being a unit used to measure loudness). This means musicians are at a very high risk, considering the high decibels found at a concert.

Check out these common activities:

Whisper at 6 feet: 30 decibels (dB)
Regular dialogue at 3 feet: 60 – 65 (dB)
Motorcycle: 100 dB
Front row at a rock show: 120 to 150 dB

A musician’s hearing is what is most predisposed to damage from the performance of their craft. Fame, wealth, and screaming fans — these are a couple of the terms and phrases you’d pick in order to summarize the everyday life of a professional musician. The terms “hearing loss” or “tinnitus,” signify the negative side-effects of all that glory, wealth, and screaming.
The culprit of all that hearing loss is recurring subjection to deafening noise. In the long run, loud noise will irreparably destroy the hair cells of the inner ear, which are the sensory receptors responsible for sending sound to the brain. Like an ample patch of grass worn out from frequent trampling, the hair cells can in a similar fashion be wiped out from repeated overexposure to loud noise – the dissimilarity, of course, being that you can’t grow brand new hair cells.

Signs of Hearing Loss

In reality, musicians are close to four times more likely to acquire noise-induced hearing loss in contrast with the average person, according to scientists at the Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology. The scientific study also discovered that professional musicians are about 57% more likely to suffer from tinnitus — a disorder connected with a repeated ringing in the ears.

Unfortunately, musicians don’t see an audiologist until it’s too late and they experience:

A ringing or buzzing sound in the ears
Any pain or discomfort in the ears
Difficulty comprehending speech
Trouble following discussions in the presence of background noise

The trouble is, when these symptoms are present, the damage has already been done. So, the leading thing a musician can do to deter long-term, permanent hearing loss is to schedule an appointment with an audiologist before symptoms are present.
If you’re a musician, an audiologist can recommend custom made musicians’ plugs or in-ear-monitors that will give protection to your hearing without limiting your musical performance. As a musician, you have unique needs for hearing and hearing protection, and audiologists or hearing specialists are the professionals specifically trained to provide this custom protection.
Considering the unique requirements of musicians — as well as the significance of protecting the details of sound — the best road to take is to schedule an appointment with an audiologist.

How musicians, and fans, can protect their ears

Rock shows are literally ear-splittingly loud, and continued unprotected exposure can cause some considerable harm, which several popular musicians know all too well.
Chris Martin, the lead vocalist for the band Coldplay, has dealt with with Tinnitus for a decade. According to Martin:
“Looking after your ears is unfortunately something you don’t think about until there’s a problem. I’ve had tinnitus for about 10 years, and since I started protecting my ears it hasn’t got any worse (touch wood). But I wish I’d thought about it earlier. Now we always use moulded filter plugs, or in-ear monitors, to try and protect our ears. You CAN use industrial headphones, but that looks strange at a party.”
Other significant musicians that suffer from hearing loss or tinnitus include Neil Young, Ozzy Osbourne, Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend, Bono, Sting, Ryan Adams, and more, many of which indicate regret that they hadn’t done more to take care of their ears all through their careers. Lars Ulrich from Metallica points out:
“If you get a scratch on your nose, in a week that’ll be gone. When you scratch your hearing or damage your hearing, it doesn’t come back. I try to point out to younger kids … once your hearing is gone, it’s gone, and there’s no real remedy.”

Even though musicians are at greater risk for acquiring hearing loss or tinnitus, they can slash their risk by taking protective measures. Plus, everyday folks who are subjected to loud environments should also seek protection.

Filed Under: Anatomy and Physiology, Articles, Choosing a Hearing Aid, Common Conditions of the Ear, Hearing, Hearing Aid Technology, Hearing Aids, Hearing Loss, Preventative Care, Tinnitus

Preventing work related hearing loss with high fidelity, custom-fit ear plugs

February 21, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Everyday work-related activities have high decibel levels associated with them – not just for people who work in loud environments. For example, a power saw can reach 110 decibels, a newspaper press 97, a chain saw 120, a sporting event 105, and a jet takeoff 150. Musicians, production line workers, construction workers, airport staff, emergency workers, plumbers, and craftsmen are all likely to develop extreme hearing loss and tinnitus.
Did you know that 85 decibels is the noise intensity at which repetitive exposure can cause significant hearing damage?
Did you know that 100 decibels is the sound degree reached by a rock concert? Bad news for anyone who plays in a band or who likes to go see one.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says an amazing 30 million people in the U.S. are subjected to dangerous sound levels, representing one of the biggest occupational threats over the previous 25 years.

Work-related hearing loss impacts countless numbers

This is a story that’s been around the block a time or two, and it happens more than you think. Just take in the fact that in 2009 alone, there were 21,000 incidents of occupational hearing loss reported.
Kevin Twigg of Stockport, England understands all too well about the occupational hazards of loudness. That’s because he worked on evaluating and repairing law enforcement car sirens — which get to between 106 to 118 decibels — for more than 30 years.
After retirement, severe tinnitus set in along with severe hearing loss that mandated the use of hearing aids. Having failed to adopt the safety actions that would alleviate the noise levels, Twigg’s employer was found liable in court, losing a case in which Twigg won big.

4 reasons why you should choose custom-fit ear plugs over the off-the-shelf foam variety

Why are custom-fit ear plugs so much better than those cheap foam ear plugs? We explore the reasons:

1. avoidance of the “Occlusion Effect”
With foam ear plugs, the user will perceive a hollowed out or boomy sound in their voice when speaking, singing, or playing an musical instrument. This bothersome noise is referred as the “occlusion effect.”
Custom-fit ear plugs are molded to the ear, forming a deep seal that helps prevent this distracting sound.

2. conservation of sound quality
Common foam ear plugs muffle speech and music. By reducing noise mainly in the high frequency range, rather than in the mid-to-low frequency range, music and voices appear to be unnatural and indecipherable. Foam ear plugs also decrease sound by 30-40 decibels, which is excessive for the prevention of hearing damage.
Custom-fit ear plugs will minimize sound more evenly across frequencies while lowering sound volume by a lower decibel level, thereby maintaining the all natural quality of speech and music.

3. price & convenience
Custom ear plugs can last up to four years, almost always at a price tag of well under $100.
Let’s do some math on the disposable foam plugs:
$3.99 for 10 pairs equals $0.39 per pair
$0.39 per pair X 5 days per week X 52 weeks per year X 4 years = $405.60
With custom-fit ear plugs, you will certainly save cash in the long run and will avert all of those outings to the store. No one likes shopping for ear plugs, so while the initial visit to the audiologist seems like a pain, in the long run you will also conserve time.

4. preserving the environment
Throw-away ear plugs produce a lot of waste:
5 days per week X 52 weeks per year = 260 pairs of foam ear plugs tossed out every single year.

How to protect your ears while at work

The ideal method at work requires the use of custom-fit ear plugs, sometimes referred to as musicians plugs. You just have to be fitted for them by your hearing consultant, who can tailor specifically to you, your job, and your needs.
This is much better than picking up disposabless at the community store, and it’s cheaper and better on the environment in the long run, too.

Schedule an appointment today

The benefits of custom-fit ear plugs speak can be seen in many facets of life. Particularly if you undergo exposure to loud noises at work, or attend several concerts, be sure to schedule a consultation with a hearing expert today. Custom-fit ear plugs will protect your ears the best.

Filed Under: Articles, Choosing a Hearing Aid, Common Conditions of the Ear, Hearing, Hearing Aid Technology, Hearing Aids, Hearing Loss, Preventative Care, Tinnitus

A Brief History of Hearing Aids

February 14, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Approximately 35 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss. In perspective, very few of them are prescribed a hearing aid. They can be quite costly, but their advantages are unparalleled and well worth it. On average, a hearing aid costs about $1500. They have come a long way from the primitive ear trumpets of 200 years ago. As a result of research over the years as well as growth in technology, these devices now come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and even colors. Plus, they only weigh a few ounces, providing an unmatched versatility to the user. They used to weigh tens of pounds! With connections to Bluetooth and filtering capabilities inherent in today’s models, there has been quite an evolution in terms of these devices.

On the Ear

It wasn’t till the late 1930s that hearing aids that could be worn on the ear with relative comfort got popular. These devices were made by a Chicago electronics manufacturer, featuring a thin wire connected to an earpiece and receiver. A battery pack which attached to the user’s leg made it hard to get around easily, though. More compact models emerged during World War II for more reliable service to the user thanks to the invention of printed circuit boards.

Precursors to Hearing Aids

Ear trumpets were crafted for the very wealthy, such as the Reynolds Trumpet, personally made for Joshua Reynolds, a famous painter of his time. The ear trumpet is a horn-shaped instrument that is designed to direct sound into the inner ear. It was invented back in the 17th century, which were beneficial only to those who suffered from a partial hearing impairment. These were large, cumbersome devices that only served to amplify sound within the immediate environment. Just think of an old phonograph with the conical sphere and you’ll get a good mental picture of what these resembled. As the 18th century approached, they came even further.

How can Phones Improve Hearing?

When the 19th century came about, electrical technologies emerged spurred on by the invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876. This invention was a catalyst for advancement leading to electrical transmission of speech. Thomas Edison was inspired by this invention and came up with the carbon transmitter for the telephone in 1878. This was designed to boost the basics of the telephone as well as the electrical signal to improve hearing. The 17th and 18th centuries brought with them devices that offered only limited amplification qualities.

Modern Models

Behind-the-ear models, invented in 1964 by Zenith Radio, boasted digital signal-processing chips. Then along came hybrid analog-digital models and then fully digital models by 1996. By the year 2000, programmable hearing aids were on the scene that gave users increased flexibility, customization and comfort. Today, most — about 90 percent — of all hearing aids are digital in nature.

Vacuum Tubes Were Revolutionary Yet Cumbersome

Vacuum tubes, put out by Western Electric Co., came next in New York City in 1920. Manufactures built upon the technology that came from Lee De Forest’s finding of the three-component tube years earlier. They offered not only better amplification but also better frequency. However, they were huge and impractical. They got to the size of a small box eventually, but they were still quite inconvenient.
Today’s hearing aids are light years ahead in terms of size, weight, functionality and adaptability.

Filed Under: Articles, Choosing a Hearing Aid, Common Conditions of the Ear, Hearing, Hearing Aid Technology, Hearing Aids, Hearing Loss, Preventative Care, Tinnitus

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Hearing Aids

February 5, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Hearing aids have went through a large number of iterations in their 200-plus year history. The technology that is implemented in hearing aids has historically been developed by means of a devoted scientist who is either affected by hearing loss or has a friend or family member affected by hearing loss. As an example, Alexander Graham Bell’s mother had substantial hearing loss and his wife was deaf.

Here are 10 other little-known facts about hearing aids:

1. Hearing aids can be synced up with wireless devices through state of the art technology like Bluetooth, so users are able to enjoy direct signals from their smart phone, MP3 player, TV, and other gadgets.

2. Hearing aids are not one size fits all – in fact, they can and should be programmable. This means they have the capability to recall the most comfortable settings for the user, often readjusting in real time to the surrounding environment.

3. Digital hearing aids – a recent advancement — have drastically diminished the occurrence of pestering feedback, echoes, and background noises. These were par for the course as part of earlier technologies, and they made concentrating much harder.

4. In addition to the amplification of sound, modern hearing aids can also enhance and clarify sound.

5. When used in combination with special induction or hearing loops, hearing aid users can more clearly hear notices in public areas, meetings, airports, arenas, and other congested areas. This technology enhances sounds and minimizes all the background noise.

6. It used to be that hearing aids were only manufactured in beige and related colors to match people’s skin color, so that they were not easily recognizable. Today, users are welcoming their hearing aid technology, exhibiting a range of colors and patterns to show off their devices and stick out in a crowd.

7. Similarly, hearing aids are smaller in size than ever before. They used to be large, cumbersome gadgets that weighed several pounds and barely amplified sound. Today, they only weigh a few ounces and provide remarkably better sound quality.

8. Today, you can purchase water resistant and waterproof hearing aids to better fit in with your lifestyle. Water resistant hearing aids can tolerate low levels of humidity and moisture, while waterproof hearing aids can withstand higher levels of moisture during showering and even swimming.

9. Instead of having to frequently replace the batteries in hearing aids, many are now made with rechargeable technology to cut down on upkeep costs.

10. Hearing aids do much more than amplify sound – they can also contain special tinnitus therapy components that provide the user with relief when it comes to constant ringing in the ear.

Now that you learned some interesting facts about hearing aids and their accompanying technology, you can better understand what they have to offer the young and the old alike.

Filed Under: Articles, Choosing a Hearing Aid, Common Conditions of the Ear, Hearing, Hearing Aid Technology, Hearing Aids, Hearing Loss, Preventative Care, Tinnitus

How Ibuprofen Can Lead To Hearing Loss

January 28, 2015 By Leave a Comment

It’s true what they say about age leading to hearing loss, but you may feel like there’s not much you can do to help that aside from avoiding very loud situations. Now there is concrete evidence that ibuprofen, a common pain relief medication, has been connected to increased incidents of hearing loss in people as they age. This translates to the avoidance of certain medications in an effort to protect your hearing health. This is all prompted by a new study that emerged to back up this finding.

Causes

Even though researchers have done studies on ibuprofen and hearing loss occurring in men, no studies up till now had been done on women. Now we know. Do your part to improve hearing by refraining from taking certain medications. You should talk with your doctor to find out what’s best for your unique situation. You may wonder how pain relievers such as ibuprofen can bring on hearing loss. This, then, can reduce the flow of blood to the cochlear located in the inner ear. This makes it not work as it should normally. When you ingest acetaminophen, especially, you can harm the ear structures that are in place to protect your cochlea. Tinnitus, dizziness and vertigo can all be brought on through the ingestion of ibuprofen. Plus, some analgesics can damage your kidneys as well as your ears, characterized by ototoxicity.

Conclusive Findings

A study, conducted by the American Journal of Advanced Epidemiology, followed about 60,000 women over 14 years to conclusively determine that pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can bring on hearing loss in women. It showed that a quarter of those women who ingested ibuprofen and acetaminophen more than twice in one week found a lessening of hearing ability.

More Research

The need for more research is important. That’s why the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is studying 150,000 women across the nation to determine all the many factors that can contribute to hearing loss. These factors impacting hearing loss can include hormones, diet and alcohol consumption, along with exposure to loud noises over a long period of time.

What to Do

Secure your doctor’s approval before taking ibuprofen, so you know how it can potentially incur hearing loss. Also, be sure to inspect all labels on cold and sinus medications found over the counter, because ibuprofen can be in them without you knowing. You may still ingest non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen muscle pain or headaches hit but if hearing loss is an issue with you, refrain from taking this medication to be safe. One alternative for you is to take naproxen instead, which is fine for your hearing.

Filed Under: Articles, Hearing, Hearing Loss, Preventative Care

Brain Hearing Restores Optimal, Natural Hearing

January 7, 2015 By Leave a Comment

In stark contrast to their bulky and expensive ancestors, modern hearing aids work much better thanks to technology and they are super sleek. They’re also pretty much invisible! The last 10 to 15 years have seen many advancements in this realm. Where hearing aids used to be bulky, expensive, and ineffective, today’s versions are much more discreet, affordable. They can also easily mimic subtleties of natural sound.

A fundamental change in the overall approach to research and design of hearing aids is now on the horizon. It’s called “brain hearing.” Unfortunately, hearing aid technology is being held by its reputation because many believe hearing aids are still ugly, massive contraptions of the past.

So what is brain hearing, exactly?

Because sound actually occurs in the brain, not in the ears, brain hearing is based on this premise. Traditional hearing aids are designed with the ears in mind. Thus, they amplify any and all sounds, pushing through lots of noise directly to the brain. The resulting sound quality is negative and just serves to tire out the brain.

The good news is that researchers have revealed they know that the processing of sound within the brain, and quality of the signal the brain receives, are just as important as the amplification of sound in the ear. By considering the entire hearing process, brain hearing research is leading to the emergence of some incredible hearing aids.

How do brain-focused hearing aids work?

Quite simply, brain hearing makes for better hearing aid performance. By modifying only the sounds that the inner ear cannot already hear well, the natural quality of sound is preserved, and the brain is not fatigued by amplification that is not necessary. By preserving a natural, clear signal, brain-focused hearing aids work with the brain’s four key functions that interpret the sound it gets:

1. Speech recognition – brain hearing preserves the natural characteristics of speech, making it easier to focus on conversations and switch between speakers.

2. Spatial recognition – brain hearing preserves the difference in sound between the two ears, allowing for the ability to accurately locate sounds.

3. Sound filtering – brain hearing preserves the ability to identify and separate relevant information from background noise.

4. Sound focusing – brain hearing preserves the ability to focus on relevant sounds and speech, even in noisy environments with abrupt changes in background noise.

How you can benefit from brain hearing

An appointment with a board-certified audiologist is your best bet. Next, your audiologist will precisely measure your hearing loss, using that information in the custom programming of your new state-of-the-art hearing aid.

Ask about how you can incorporate brain hearing technology into your hearing aid. While hearing aids need to be professionally fitted and programmed, the process is probably easier than you think. The best part is, you can start enjoying the sounds of life again, lacking the burdens of hearing loss courtesy of brain hearing.

Consumers love brain-focused hearing aids

Many companies are now producing brain-focused hearing aids, with very positive results. Oticon, for example, reports that while average hearing instrument user satisfaction is 79%, user satisfaction associated with one of its brain-focused hearing aids is 96%.

“Brain Hearing is a natural evolution of Oticon’s long-standing commitment to putting the needs of People First,” says Søren Nielsen, President of Oticon. “This comes back to our research from our Eriksholm research facility, where we have understood that treating hearing loss is much more than presenting sound through amplification. We have known for some years that the brain has a unique ability to process sound if it receives a robust signal that is full of detail.”

Filed Under: Articles, Hearing, Hearing Loss, Preventative Care

The Multiple Functions Of Digital Earplugs

November 29, 2014 By Leave a Comment

With all of the latest technology that is flooding the market, it seems that people are finally beginning to take their hearing health much more seriously than before. One of the devices that has arrived on the market and shows just how dedicated people are to saving their hearing is the digital ear plug. This device uses a variety of novel technology to help people save their hearing and make every job environment safe for hearing. Here we will take a look at the digital ear plugs in terms of how they work, the specific functions that they can perform, and where they are most useful.

How Does A Digital Ear Plug Work?

Digital ear plugs still provide one of the most important functions of any earplug- being able to prevent sounds from entering into the ear canal. While this is valuable, it is the technological integration that makes this device so noteworthy. For example, digital ear plugs can change the amount of sound that is let into the ear based upon the level of frequency that is being put out in the area. Also, they can shut down completely in the event of a sudden, loud blast of noise. Many digital ear plugs are also fitted with devices that make understanding conversations in loud environments possible.

How Do They Make This Possible?

These digital ear plugs make use of several forms of technology to ensure that the ear remains safe at all times. As far as preventing all sound from entering into the ear, these devices can be molded to fit a specific person’s ear, meaning that sound will not get past the device. In terms of technology, these devices use stop-gate effects to prevent high frequencies and damaging amounts of decibels through the device. While they are blocking out loud and harmful sounds, these devices can also boost the ability to hear soft or spoken sounds by using hearing aid technology, which is incredibly useful in many areas of work.

Where Can They Be Most Useful?

For the most part, digital ear plugs were designed with emergencies and heavy industrial jobs in mind. For first responders and soldiers, the ability to shut out all sound from occurring is very valuable, allowing for focus while preventing physical damage and pain. In terms of blocking out loud frequencies and blasts of sound, this is also very useful in emergencies, on battlefields, and even in industrial areas. Even in daily life, such as in construction industries, the ability to protect hearing and filter in conversations is incredibly valuable. Being able to effectively communicate with hearing protection means jobs getting done faster and with a lower risk to the workers involved.

Filed Under: Articles, Hearing, Hearing Aid Technology, Hearing Aids, Hearing Loss

Diabetes and Hearing Loss

November 22, 2014 By Leave a Comment

While it may be interesting to note that 30 million people have diabetes and 34.5 million people have hearing loss in this country, there’s actually been a link proven between the two. Researchers just completed some studies of 20,000 people from the United States, Asia, Brazil and Australia to determine whether diabetes and hearing loss are intertwined. The answer is yes; however no one really knows why yet. You may have heard that you have twice the chance of having some degree of hearing loss than someone who is not diabetic. This is an alarming finding. This puts diabetes and hearing loss at the top in terms of two health concerns in the United States, points out the American Diabetes Association.

Correlation Between Diabetes and Hearing Loss

Although one solution to curbing this correlation is to do a better job of controlling blood sugar levels in diabetics so hearing impairment doesn’t happen, not enough is known about the causes yet for this to be a an office suggestion. Because diabetics ingest many medications and diuretics related to lowering their blood pressure, no one knows if this could actually be causing the hearing loss. While the link between diabetes and hearing loss is not in question, the exact reason why is still unknown. The high blood glucose levels that are associated with diabetes can harm your inner ear’s sensitive blood vessels. This is one of the factors being explored but conclusive evidence is still yet to come. Hearing loss occur in diabetics just like they can suffer from problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. But to learn more about the connection between the two conditions, more research must be undertaken. Old age and a noisy working environment, according to researchers – well known to cause hearing loss – don’t seem to play into the scenario of diabetes and hearing problems.

Signs and Symptoms of Hearing Loss

You may have difficulty picking up on background noise when there’s a crowd of people around. This is one big sign of hearing loss. Perhaps you only hear muffled sounds instead of clear words when people are talking to you. This too can lead to hearing loss as it relates to diabetes. Other signs of hearing loss include the failure to adequately keep track of conversations involving multiple participants, inability to distinguish the voices of small children or women, and the tendency to crank the volume to high on the TV or car radio. We know this can be embarrassing; however, it’s also dangerous. Driving a car or walking along a busy street, for instance, can pose a dangerous threat if you can’t hear what’s going on around you. You may also avoid parties so you don’t have to be embarrassed about not hearing anyone. This is why you should see an audiologist for diagnosis and treatment.

Testing for Diabetes

All diabetics should get routine testing for hearing loss. When you next see your doctor, ask for a hearing exam so you can get treated by a specialist right away. This should be part and parcel of any doctor visit for diabetics, yet it’s not – even though doctors check many other components of a diabetic’s health at checkups. Be an advocate for your ears and ask for an audiologist referral.

Filed Under: Articles, Hearing, Hearing Aids, Hearing Loss, Preventative Care

Untreated Hearing Loss Linked to Depression

October 20, 2014 By Leave a Comment

One of the most devastating illnesses that a person can suffer from throughout their life is hearing loss. Not only does it present a great deal of functional problems, but it can also cause problems in other areas of your health. Recent studies have shown that there is a very interesting link between depression and hearing loss. In this article we will examine the different ways that hearing loss can affect depression and the steps that can be taken to alleviate this problem.

Interesting Study Results

The first major test that was completed regarding hearing loss and depression in nearly a decade shows that there was a positive correlation between people who exhibited symptoms of hearing loss and depression. There were many individuals in the 70 and above age group that are affected by this, but the fact is that depression greatly affects people younger than this.

It has been seen as a result of increased rates of brain damage coming from hearing loss and other facts, but also that people have a diminished ability to communicate when they have hearing loss. This inability to interact socially with one another leads many people to become sullen and withdrawn; which manifests with symptoms of depression.

Who Does It Affect?

While researchers have thought about the people that are greatly affected by hearing loss, they assumed that greater prevalence would occur in older individuals. They also thought that the inability to hear was the greatest limit imposed upon people with hearing impairment. However, the initial testing by the U.S. National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders also showed the fact that depression was a complication of hearing loss, and that it was affecting people at younger ages than ever before.

The group that was studied had 18,000 individuals that had various ages between 18 and 80. Everyone under 70 self reported their hearing loss and those above took a test; both groups took a test to determine if there were depression symptoms, resulting in the findings listed above.

Is There Any Way To Help?

One of the biggest questions that have come about as a result of the test results is what can be done. Fortunately, there is help in the form of hearing aids that can improve the quality of life of people with diminished hearing. These hearing devices can help alleviate some of the symptoms of depression, but are not effective in every case. Aside from these devices, though, there is no permanent cure for hearing loss that exists on the market right now.

Filed Under: Articles, Hearing Loss

How Noisy Workplaces are Causing Hearing Loss

October 8, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Perhaps you love going off to your job each day, as it provides many fulfilling experiences in your life. You probably don’t think of the effect your work environment has on your hearing, though. Certain occupations carry with them the potential for hearing loss over time due to the loud noises that occur on a daily basis. This is a growing concern as a common form of workplace injury for those immersed in a noisy environment consistently. Let’s take a look at the dangers these jobs pose to the health of your ears. You can avoid permanent damage by taking a few simple precautions.

Construction

Contractors immerse themselves in loud environments every day, thanks to all the hammering, sawing, machines and trucks that are part and parcel of a construction site. Construction workers expose themselves to acute noise trauma daily without even knowing it, so it would be wise for them to put on ear plugs or noise dampening headphones for safety.

Farming

While easily one of the most gratifying jobs to have, farming requires the daily use of loud machines and equipment that typically meet at least 85 decibels of sound – enough to cause hearing loss. Even though farmers get immense satisfaction knowing they are helping people by growing healthy crops, they often set themselves up for hearing loss.

Mining

Mining, a dangerous job any way you slice it, provides real value to everyone. Miners not only provide us with important raw materials, they also provide us with the fuel we need to heat our homes and drive our cars. Unfortunately, the loud noises coming from the heavy equipment underground, compounded by the confined space, can trigger hearing damage in workers.

Military

Offering some of the noisiest work environments around, the military features loud noises in the form of construction, explosives, tanks and artillery. This can lead to high rates of hearing loss in those within the armed forces. You up this risk when you add in the sounds of daily weapons training and exposure to heavy machines. Unfortunately, a high number of returning veterans come home with acoustic trauma, a type of hearing impairment.

Ground Workers at Airports

Airports are loud even for those in the building. Ground workers have to direct planes and jets out on the runway, and therefore must wear protective ear wear to guard again severe hearing damage. The jumbo jet noise on the runway can get up to about 160 decibels, which is double the accepted rate of 85. Over 85, and hearing loss starts to occur. Those in the commercial and military plane services industries are at an even higher risk.

Club Employee

You may not think about it much, but the individuals who work in nightclubs aren’t having nearly as much fun as the patrons are. First off, they’re there to do a job, and second, that job happens to have a lot of loud noises attached to it, from yelling to ear-splitting music. DJs, bouncers, bartenders and waitresses in particular suffer from an increased risk of hearing damage.

Filed Under: Articles, Hearing Loss
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