The world is a symphony of sounds, from the lively chatter of friends to the gentle patter of rain. Yet, in the middle of this orchestra of soothing noise lurks a danger – NIHL or noise-induced hearing loss.
NIHL is a preventable condition caused by prolonged exposure to loud noises. As your ears are constantly subjected to hearing loud noises, their ability to hear properly slowly chips away. This creates a ripple effect of consequences that impact one’s regular life. What’s more, you ask? The condition is irreversible and permanent.
Therefore, if you wish to preserve your vital sense of hearing, you must understand the risks associated with NIHL and the importance of protecting your hearing.
Understanding The Delicate Mechanism Of Hearing
Have you ever thought about the mechanism of hearing? Most people take hearing for granted until there’s a problem.
Behind your ability to hear, there’s an intricate process at work. Sound waves travel through the air to reach your outer ear and vibrate the eardrum. These vibrations translate into electrical signals within the cochlea in the inner ear. In the cochlea, there are hair cells that line up and convert electrical signals into frequencies that travel along the auditory nerve to the brain. It is only then that you are able to perceive sound.
What is NIHL?
The delicate hair cells within your ear can get damaged if exposed to excessive noise levels. This results in noise-induced hearing loss or NIHL. The louder the sound and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk of damage.
Sounds that exceed 85 dB are roughly equivalent to loud lawnmowers or city traffic. Prolonged exposure to such noises can cause permanent loss of hearing. However, even if you are constantly exposed to sounds that are as low as 70 dB, you may experience temporary hearing loss.
How Do You Recognize The Signs Of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?
The insidious nature of noise-induced hearing loss lies in its gradual progression. The initial signs are usually overlooked because they are subtle. Some of the early symptoms of NIHL are:
- Muffled sounds
- Tinnitus
- Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments
If the condition progresses, the symptoms will worsen and lead to difficulty in hearing high-pitched sounds and increased reliance on lip reading. It also leads to social isolation, depression, and anxiety.
What Are The Consequences Of Living With Nihl?
NIHL is more than loss of hearing. It comes with various consequences that can impact one’s quality of life. Some of those consequences are:
- The emotional and social impact – When an individual is unable to hear conversations, it results in withdrawal and social isolation. Such individuals experience feelings of anxiety, depression, and frustration due to difficulties in communication.
- Professional and educational implications – Individuals with NIHL face difficulty understanding meetings or lectures, and this might hinder their career advancement and academic performance. Also, hearing loss limits employment opportunities in environments that are noisy.
- Financial impact – Additional expenses are incurred when one has to manage NIHL, such as maintenance of communication devices, hearing aids, and other equipment. The cost of these devices can become a financial burden.
- Quality of life – NIHL impacts one’s overall quality of life and hinders individuals from fully engaging in conversations or enjoying music.
How to Prevent NIHL?
Fortunately, you can prevent NIHL by taking proactive steps. Some of those steps are:
- Use hearing protection devices – Pre-molded earplugs, custom ear plugs, canal caps, expandable foam earplugs, and earmuffs are hearing protection devices that are designed to help block out the noise entering your ears. Selecting the right type and ensuring it fits comfortably is important for optimal protection. Customized earplugs are probably the best choice because they are designed according to the impression of your ear. Hence, the fit and comfort are guaranteed. You can wear hearing protection at work or even when you are enjoying music concerts or sporting events.
- Reduce volume – Reducing the volume on personal listening devices like televisions and headphones can make a significant difference. You can follow the 60/60 rule – listening to over 60% volume for not more than 60 minutes.
- Increase the distance – You can increase your distance from noisy environments. If it isn’t required, don’t engage yourself in activities that may cause NIHL.
- Be mindful of everyday sounds – You must pay attention to the noise levels in your regular routine. If you are engaged in activities like going to nightclubs or using power tools, you are constantly being exposed to dangerous levels of noise. You must implement preventative measures when engaging in such activities so that the impact of excessively loud environments can be reduced and you can enjoy your sense of hearing for years to come.
- Regularly wear hearing protection devices at work – This point needs to be harped again because some people forget to protect their hearing when they are at work. If you are engaged in construction, mining, or any other industry that demands working in a noisy environment, you must always wear a hearing protection device. You must also ensure the hearing protection device is compatible with the other equipment you may have to wear during your working hours.
- Schedule routine check-ups – You must schedule regular hearing tests with a professional audiologist so that your loss of hearing is detected early and the progression is prevented. Early detection ensures better management of the condition and reduces the impact on your life.
The Bottom Line
Maintaining your hearing health is a lifelong commitment. The gift of hearing is precious, and you must take all the measures and steps to ensure this gift can be enjoyed for years to come.
Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do about noisy environments. All you can do is take steps to protect your ears from NIHL. You can wear hearing protection devices, reduce the volume when listening to music, and try to talk to your supervisor at work to explore ways to reduce the level of noise.
Do you wish to add something more to this discussion about NIHL and hearing health? Feel free to leave a comment.
