Each time your mom told you to turn your music down, it wasn’t just for her sanity. Listening to music at high volumes will damage your hearing; so mom was right, as usual. There are other common noises that would be best approached with the use of hearing protection. Some hearing loss is normal with age, but much of it can be prevented by avoiding loud noises.
Sound is a combination of intensity and pitch. Intensity is measured in decibels (dB), with 30 dB being the intensity of a quiet library, and a gun muzzle blast at 140 dB. Pitch is measured by wave frequencies per second. A high-pitched noise example is a bird chirp, while a low-pitched noise is a tuba being played. Below are common noises that cause permanent hearing loss.
Machinery
Machinery including lawn mowers, production lines, and boats can cause permanent hearing loss. It is important to always wear hearing protection around these noises. If you are exposed to these noises at work, ensure you always wear hearing protection.
Music
Have you ever left a concert with ringing ears? That’s a bad sign. Concerts can be extremely loud and have long-term effects on hearing. If you must attend these events, a small pair of ear plugs would help protect your hearing.
Sporting Events
Sporting events are extremely loud, especially in indoor stadiums. Screaming fans, noise makers, and loud speakers can wreak havoc on your hearing, especially if you’re a season ticket holder. As with other loud public events, ear plugs are a good recommendation.
Fireworks
Fireworks are one of the most common high-decibel noises that we encounter. At 180 dB, fireworks can make your ears physically hurt. If you are lighting off the fireworks or firecrackers, wear over-ear protection to avoid damage. At such a high decibel, hearing loss will occur very quickly.
Hunting
Gun ranges require shooters to wear ear protection while shooting, so why wouldn’t you wear ear protection while hunting? This is especially important if bird or small game hunting because of the frequency of muzzle blasts. Be sure you wear over-ear protection during these times. It will also help keep your ears warm during those chilly fall mornings.
Always be sure to wear hearing protection. Once your hearing is gone, it’s gone forever.
Sources:
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing-loss-older-adults
http://american-hearing.org/disorders/noise-induced-hearing-loss/#research
https://knops.co/why-its-better-you-wear-earplugs-at-a-concert/
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