In this Article

• What is the importance of noise-induced hearing loss?
• What are acoustic trauma and noise-induced hearing loss?
• How can a person tell if a noisy situation is dangerous to their hearing?
• How loud can a sound get before it affects hearing?
• Do the duration and closeness of exposure to loud noise relate to hearing damage?
• What factors increase a person's susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss?
• How else can noise affect a person?
• What are the regulations regarding on-the-job exposure to noise?
• How effective are hearing protection devices?
• What are the common problems with hearing protectors?
• Do hearing protectors prevent a person from communicating with others?
• How is hearing loss identified?
• What can be done to treat hearing loss?
• Noise Induced Hearing Loss and Its Prevention Glossary
• Noise Induced Hearing Loss and Its Prevention Index

Do the duration and closeness of exposure to loud noise relate to hearing damage?

There is a direct correlation between the duration of exposure to a loud noise and the damage to hearing. This means that the longer the exposure, the greater the damage. Furthermore, the closer one is to the source of the intense noise, the more damaging it is. An example of this is iPod hearing loss. There is an alarming increase in hearing loss in children and young adults due to listening to loud music through earplugs so close to the eardrum.

Another example is discharging firearms. The loud blast of a gun so close to the ear can cause problems for anyone not wearing ear protection.

What factors increase a person's susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss?

The following factors have been associated with an increased susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss:

• blue eyes,
  
  
• light skin,
  
  
• family history of hearing loss,
  
  
• diabetes mellitus,
  
  
• Meniere disease,
  
  
• iron deficiency,
  
  
• vitamin A deficiency,
  
  
• older age,
  
  
• atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and
  
  
• smoking tobacco.

How else can noise affect a person?

After exposure to noise, tinnitus, which is a ringing or another sound in the ears, occurs commonly. The tinnitus is a sign that inner ear damage or nerve destruction has occurred. Initially the tinnitus is temporary, lasting only several hours. As more cumulative exposure and damage occur, the tinnitus will last longer until it eventually becomes permanent. Loud noise will also cause some people to have anxiety and irritability, an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, or an increase in stomach acid. In addition, very loud noise can reduce efficiency in performing difficult tasks by diverting attention from the job.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

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• Diabetes - Learn about type 1 and 2 diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) symptoms including increased urination, thirst, weight loss, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, skin infections, and blurred vision. Causes and diagnosis information is provided in the information.
• Newborn Infant Hearing Screening - Find out how and when newborn infant hearing screening is done, and learn what to do if hearing impairment or deafness is detected.

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