Hearing Hazards in Everyday Life
Any repeated high-volume experiences or 1-shot booms could damage the delicate nerve
cells of your inner ear. And once damaged, these cells don't grow back. A good rule of thumb is that damage is happening if you have to shout
to be heard over the racket.
Prolonged exposure to noise higher than 70 decibels (dB) can harm your hearing. Noises
higher than 120 dB—even if they last only a short time—can harm your hearing right
away.
Here are some everyday activities that are possible hearing hazards.
Power tools
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has done a good job of setting safe
noise levels in industry. Many people use ear protection at work. But they often aren’t
as careful at home, experts say. A motorcycle, firecrackers, and small guns all produce
sound between 120 dB and 150 dB. That is enough to damage hearing.
Guns
Shooters are exposed to very loud but short-term sound when a weapon is fired. All
shooters should wear hearing protectors even when shooting small-caliber weapons such
as a 22 rifle. Long and repeated exposure to noise levels at 85 dB or higher can result
in hearing loss. Gun sound levels may reach 120 dB or greater during firing. Here
are some examples reported by the CDC:
-
12-gauge shotgun. 154.6 to 162.7 dB
-
0.45-70 rifle. 155.2 to 159.9 dB
-
0.30-06 rifle. 158.7 to 163.1 dB
Kids' toys and portable media players
Baby toys and bike horns that are high-pitched can give off quick bursts of damaging
noise when pressed or squeezed over and over again. The American Academy of Pediatrics
warns parents that media players such as iPods or MP3 players can cause hearing loss.
Earphones or ear buds for these items can reach a damaging noise level up to 130 dB.
Rush hour
Busy traffic and highway construction can cause ringing or a sense of fullness in
the ears. These are key signs that hearing damage has happened. When highway noise
gets very loud, drive with the windows up. According to the CDC, traffic sounds of
85 dB or greater for long periods of time can create lasting hearing loss.
Various sound levels in our lives (in decibels)
Compare some of these common sounds and their rank of possible harm with what your
ears are open to every day:
Faint:
Moderate:
Loud:
Very loud:
-
90 dB - lawnmower, food blender
-
100 dB - chainsaw, snowmobile
-
110 dB - symphony orchestra
Painful:
Reducing hearing damage
Take these steps to limit damage:
Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider and have your hearing tested if you
think you have hearing loss.