It’s very common for people to have loss of hearing caused by repeated exposure to loud noise. If you are always exposed to noise that that is over 85 decibels, your hearing could be irreversibly impaired.
What is Noise-Related Hearing Loss?
This is a type of sensorineural hearing loss where hair cells inside of your inner ear are irreversibly destroyed by noise.
A gradual deterioration of hearing, eventually bringing about permanent hearing loss, occurs when you are exposed to very loud noise over a long period of time. It can also be caused by a single instance of a loud burst of sound that can instantly cause loss of hearing.
More than 17 percent of people between the ages of 20 and 69 have hearing loss that is caused by their work or recreational activities. Some illustrations of noises that can cause hearing loss might include:
- Jackhammers
- Busy Traffic
- Nearby fireworks
- Motorcycles
- Chainsaws
- Sirens
- Loud volume on earphones
- Jet engines
Is it Reversible?
There is currently no cure for noise-related hearing loss (although scientists are hard at work on it). If you’ve been exposed to a loud noise, you should see a doctor as soon as possible, because some of the prolonged damage is caused by swelling in the ear. You might be capable of limiting the damage that occurs by decreasing inflammation. Sound waves are sent to the brain by the little hair cells inside of the ear. If noise harms or kills them, they are unable to regenerate. So once they’re gone, permanent hearing loss is the consequence. This is the reason why it is critical that you take the required steps to safeguard your hearing, and if you are exposed to a loud noise, that you consult a specialist right away.
Research to Tackle The Issue
There is currently no cure for this condition. But repairing noise-related hearing loss is top priority for scientists. There are clinical trials, for instance, that are attempting to restore these hairs with a trial drug. If scientists were capable of getting this drug to work, these hairs would be able to restore and we may be able to overcome noise and age related hearing loss.
Safeguard Your Remaining Hearing
While hearing loss that is a result of noise cannot be repaired (yet), you are capable of taking certain steps to prevent hearing loss or protect the remaining hearing that you have. Some steps you can take include:
- If you work in an industry that has persistently loud noise, use the correct hearing protection
- When you’re at home, minimize your exposure to excessively loud activities
- Keep away from areas that regularly have loud noises
- Whatever your hearing loss might be, hearing aids could be the answer
- Take regular hearing exams
Lowering the volume on your devices, using ear protection, and avoiding overly loud noise is the best way to safeguard your hearing. Make an appointment for a hearing test if you have been exposed to loud noise.