You heard that right: according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), many American adults are overestimating their hearing abilities. A new CDC report states that about 25 percent of people between the ages of 20 and 69 who think their hearing is fine are actually exhibiting some signs of hearing damage. Furthermore, one out of five adults in their 20s has lost their ability to hear the softest sounds.
While some of us might associate the loss of hearing with noisy work environments, such as construction sites or airports, only about 24 percent of hearing loss is the result of working in a loud place. Hearing damage can be caused by any exposure to loud sounds, even if that exposure is limited.
How Loud Is Too Loud?
Sound levels are measured in decibels (dB), with higher decibels equaling louder sounds. So, for example, while a normal indoor conversation clocks in at about 60-65 dB, heavy traffic usually produces sound levels of about 85 dB. A chainsaw or loud concert has sound levels of about 120 dB.
Most people already recognize that exposure to very loud environments can cause hearing damage, but not as many realize that length of exposure can make a difference, too. Noise above 105 dB can damage your hearing if you’re exposed to it for just 15 minutes per week, but even lower levels (think 80-90 dB) can damage your hearing if you’re exposed to that noise for hours every day.
The noisier an environment is and the longer you’re exposed to it, the more likely you are to experience hearing loss. And unfortunately, once the hearing damage has been done, it can’t be undone.
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| Measuring loud noises. Source: cdc.gov |
Tips for Hearing Loss Prevention. While you can’t reverse hearing loss, there are things you can do to prevent further damage.
- Avoid noisy environments whenever possible. If you work somewhere loud, talk to your employer about ways to reduce the noise or ways to protect your hearing (such as earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones).
- When you’re somewhere loud, wear earplugs. Going to a loud concert or sporting event? Pack a pair of earplugs. Wearing earplugs can bring the noise level down by 15 to 35 dB, which can go a long way towards protecting your hearing.
- Use over-the-ear headphones. If you frequently listen to music through headphones, invest in a pair that goes over your ears rather than in them. Over-the-ear headphones do a better job of canceling out background noise than earbuds, so you shouldn’t have to turn the volume up as loud.
- Take breaks from your headphones. A good rule of thumb is to wear your headphones for no more than 60 minutes at a time, with your music-playing device set to no more than 60 percent of the max volume.
Although hearing loss might not be something you think about on a regular basis, it’s important to take steps to limit damage now so that you can preserve your hearing for years to come. The prevention of hearing loss is possible—the reversal of hearing loss isn’t.
