It’s extremely common for people to have hearing loss caused by continued exposure to loud noise. Your hearing can be permanently impaired if you spend a lot of time exposed to noise that is higher than 85 dB.
What is Noise-Related Hearing Loss?
This is a kind of sensorineural hearing loss where hair cells inside of your inner ear are permanently destroyed by noise.
Noise-induced hearing loss can be brought on by long-term subjection to extremely high levels of noise, which causes a gradual deterioration of your hearing. Immediate damage can also happen if you are subjected to a burst of extremely damaging noise all of a sudden.
Over 17 percent of individuals between the ages of 20 and 69 have hearing loss that is a result of their recreational or work activities. Some examples of noises that can result in hearing loss may include:
- Loud volume on earphones
- Chainsaws
- Nearby fireworks
- Jackhammers
- Motorcycles
- Busy Traffic
- Jet engines
- Emergency Vehicles
Can it be Reversed?
There is currently no remedy for noise-induced hearing loss (although scientists are hard at work on it). Some of the damage in your ear may be due to inflammation so you need to see a doctor if you have been subjected to sudden loud noise. You might be capable of limiting the damage that develops by reducing inflammation. Waves of sound are sent to the brain by the little hair cells in the ear. They never regenerate once they are destroyed. So once they’re gone, permanent hearing impairment is the consequence. This is the reason why it is essential that you take the required steps to safeguard your hearing, and if you’re exposed to a loud noise, that you see a specialist as soon as possible.
Approaching The Problem With Research
This condition is currently not curable. But repairing noise-induced hearing loss is top priority for scientists. There are clinical trials, for example, that are trying to regrow these hairs with a trial drug. If scientists were capable of getting this drug to work, these hairs would be able to regenerate and we may be able to overcome noise and age related hearing loss.
Safeguard Your Remaining Hearing
Noise related hearing loss can’t be healed but if you take certain steps to protect your ears, the hearing you have left can be protected into the future. You can:
- Get tested regularly
- Stay away from places that constantly have loud noises
- Manage any hearing loss you have with hearing aids
- Use the proper hearing protection devices, such as earmuffs or earplugs if you work in places with consistently loud noises
- Reduce your exposure to very noisy activities at home
Lowering the volume on your devices, using ear protection, and staying away from overly loud noise is the best way to protect your hearing. Schedule a hearing exam if you have been exposed to loud noise.