Today over 20 million people in the U.S. are exposed to environmental noise that can damage hearing. If you use stereo headsets, operate power tools for yard work, have a long daily commute in heavy traffic, or use a number of household appliances – you may be exposed to potentially damaging noise.

Many people are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work. But exposure to damaging noise does not only come from the workplace. Recreational activities such as hunting, motorboating/waterskiing, snowmobiling, motorcycling and exposure to rock music or the use o stereo headsets can expose a person to hazardous noise.

Both loud bursts of sound and sustained exposure to high intensity noise are serious causes of hearing loss. Loud sounds do damage to hearing function, and often the damage is not detected until it is too late. Noise induced hearing loss is usually gradual and painless…but permanent.

Your ear receives sound waves and sends them through a delicately balanced system to the brain. Part of this system is a chamber in the inner ear filled with fluid and lined with thousands of tiny hair cells. The hair cells signal the auditory nerve to send electrical impulses to the brain. The brain interprets these impulses as sound. Exposure to loud or prolonged noise damages the hair cells and permanently alters the transmission of sound.

Warning Sounds
That Noises Are Too Loud…

• You have to raise your voice to be heard.
• You can’t hear someone two feet away from you.
• Speech around you sounds muffled or dull after leaving a noisy area.
• You have pain or ringing in your ears after exposure to noise.

Ways To Protect Yourself

• Avoid loud noise whenever possible
• Wear hearing protectors – ear plugs or ear muffs. **Cotton in the ears is not protective enough!**
• Limit periods of exposure to noise. For example, at a rock concert, walk out for a while and give your ears a break.
• Be aware of the noise in your environment and take control of it when you can.
• Have your hearing tested regularly by an audiologist.