As more& more youngsters use earphones
&headphones to video or voice chat & listen to music, damage from everyday loud noise has seen a marked increase.Youth today are at a higher risk of #hearingloss. But how can we protect from this,What are the danger signs?
By an Audiometer, we can present tones of various frequencies in various intensities or loudness, to test one's hearing. By having the patient raise their hand or press a button to indicate that they heard the sound, we can measure the softest sound that a patient can hear at each frequency in each ear. Usually, sound at 100 decibels will cause pain in the ears.
Loud noise can damage our hearing by Demaging, the hair cells in #Cochlea ,the hearing organ.The damage depends on the length of time the individual is exposed to loud sounds& the loudness of the sound itself.If the sound is too loud, one's hearing can be damaged in a second. But if it is not too loud, the duration of exposure will determine the degree of hearing loss. The permissible noise exposure time for sound at 85 decibels is 8hours,& it is 4 hours for 90 decibels ,2for95,1hr for95,half hr for100,15 minutes for 105db.Beyond this intensity ear should not be exposed unless protected by ear plug &/or Muff.
To avoid noise-induced hearing loss, shorten the listening time for loud sounds. It is OK if the volume is in the low and mid-range. However, it is suggested that people not listen to portable listening devices in public areas like on buses or the subway because these places are so noisy that they might turn the volume very high to a point that can be harmful to their hearing without noticing. Also more chances of accident.For ear care, wearing headphones or earphones will increase the risk of infection for people with sensitive skin.
If the sound is uncomfortably loud, it is usually an indicator of harmful levels.
For noise-induced hearing loss, depending on how bad the exposure is, there will be ringing in the ears, muffled hearing or aural fullness (a sensation of blockage in the ear) after noise exposure.It is advised that people stay away from loud noises to protect their hearing or help recover from noise-induced hearing loss. For mild damage, it usually takes 24 hours to recover. If there is no relief of symptoms after 24 hours, ENT intervention is needed. If the damage is severe, hearing loss could only be partially restored or even irreversible.
Dr Vijay Chourdia ENT surgeon Indore India
