03/03/2022
WORLD HEARING DAY 2022 (March 3)
How does How do loud sounds affect ears?
Sensory cells within our ears help us to hear. Exposure to loud sounds over time causes fatigue of these sensory cells. The result is temporary hearing loss or tinnitus. A person enjoying a loud concert, for example, may afterwards experience muffled hearing or a ringing or buzzing in their ears (known as tinnitus). This often improves as the sensory cells recover. However, with regular exposure to loud or prolonged noise, the sensory cells and other structures can become permanently damaged, resulting in irreversible noise-induced hearing loss, tinnitus, or both. The hearing loss caused by exposure to loud sounds is called noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
Noise-induced hearing loss can be immediate, however, more often the loss is gradual, permanent, and frequently goes unnoticed or ignored until the effects become more obvious
What is safe listening?
The term safe listening simply refers to specific listening behaviors that do not put your hearing at risk.
How can I protect my hearing from loud sounds?
The volume of sounds, the duration of listening, and frequency of exposure to loud sounds all have an impact on hearing. The higher the level of sound and longer the duration, the greater the risk of hearing loss
To protect your hearing:
1. Keep the volume down. This can be done by setting your device’s volume level to no more than 60% of maximum. If you are using an app to monitor your sound level, it is best to stay below 80dB average.
2. Use well-fitted, and noise cancelling headphones to reduce the need to raise volume in noisy situations.
3. In noisy places, use ear protectors such as earplugs.
4. Always stay away from sources of sound, such as loudspeakers, noisy machinery etc.
5. Limit time spent engaged in noisy activities. Give your ears a break frequently from loud sounds. This helps the sensory cells inside the ears to recover.
6. Monitor sound levels. This can be done by using apps. Choose devices with built-in safe listening features that allow you to monitor your exposure (Examples of such apps include dBTrack and HearAngel). These apps can be downloaded on your phone and used every time you listen to music with your headphones
7. Heed the warning signs of hearing loss. Contact a professional if you have
a. Persistent ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
b. Have difficulties hearing high-pitched sounds or following conversations
How long can I listen to music?
The duration of safe listening time decreases rapidly as the sound intensity increases. For example, if one listens at an average volume of 80dB (decibels), one can keep listening safely for up to 40 hours a week. However, if you choose to listen at a volume of 90dB, four hours per week is all you have for listening safely. The safe listening time per one week for different sound intensities are indicated below, along with examples of what sort of sound the decibel level refers to.
You can check and monitor the decibel level in your environment or the decibel level of your music device with use of apps.
Can one time exposure to loud sounds cause hearing loss for me?
Yes, even a one-time exposure to extremely loud sound can damage your inner ear cells and cause hearing loss.
How can I tell if my hearing has been damaged?
You could have hearing loss if you have:
• Persistent ringing in the ears (tinnitus - Tinnitus is a ringing, buzzing, or other sound which does not come from an external source).
• Difficulty in hearing high-pitched sounds (birds singing, doorbells, telephones, alarm clocks).
• Difficulty understanding speech, especially over the telephone.
Difficulty following conversations in noisy environments, such as in restaurants, markets, or at social gatherings
What should I do if I suspect I have hearing loss?
If you have any warning signs of hearing loss, you should get your hearing checked. WHO has developed the hearWHO app (This can be downloaded on “Google Play store and App store” by searching “hearWHO” so you can check your hearing anytime you wish. You can also have your hearing tested by consulting a hearing health professional.
It is important to take preventive actions and limit exposure to loud sounds. This can limit risk of progression of hearing loss
I often go to clubs/discos/loud games/concerts. How can I protect my ears?
When you are in a noisy environment, make sure you:
• Stay away from loudspeakers/amplifiers. The intensity of sound reduces as you move away from sound sources.
• Wear earplugs regularly and properly as these can significantly reduce the intensity of sound reaching your ears.
• Rest your ears in a quiet space for 10 minutes after every hour.
