Avoid exposure to long-term loud noises. With extended exposure, noises that reach a decibel level of 85 and above can cause permanent hearing damage. Many common sounds may be louder than you think.

A typical conversation normally occurs at 60 dB, which is not loud enough to cause damage.

A bulldozer that is idling is loud enough at 85 dB that it can cause permanent damage after only one workday (8 hours).

When listening to music with earphones at a maximum volume, the sound generated can reach a level of more than 100 dBA, which is loud enough to begin causing permanent damage after just 15 minutes per day.

A clap of thunder from a nearby storm (120 dB) or a gunshot (140-190 dB, depending on weapon), can both cause immediate damage.

Other reasons for hearing loss include: age, genetics, illness, neurological disorders, medications, chemicals, physical trauma and neurobiological factors.

There are many effective, preventative strategies including immunization against rubella to reduce congenital infections, immunization against H. influenza and S. pneumonia to reduce cases of middle ear infections, and avoiding or protecting against excessive noise exposure.

If you think you have hearing loss, contact us here at A Atlantic Hearing about scheduling a FREE hearing test. If a hearing aid is in your future, remember that you will soon be able to hear sounds you haven’t heard in a long time and you will be able to communication more easily with family and friends, even over the telephone.

Unfortunately, a large number of people wait 15 years from the time they know they have hearing loss until they purchase their first hearing aids, according to the Better Hearing Institute.

According to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), approximately 28.8 million adults in the United States could benefit from wearing hearing aids, while only 3.65 million hearing aid units were dispensed in the United States during 2016.

Source: Cassie Armstrong, The Orlando Sentinel 
Image credit: Orlando Sentinel file photo