1. Anatomy of an Ear Infection Slideshow Pictures
2. Ear Infection Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ
3. Tinnitus (Ringing of the Ears) Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

James K. Bredenkamp, MD, FACS

James K. Bredenkamp, MD, FACS

Dr. Bredenkamp recieved his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine. He then went on to serve a six year residency at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine in the department of Surgery.

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Medical Author:

Frederick B Gaupp, MD

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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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?
• Patient Comments: Noise Induced Hearing Loss - Treatment
• Find a local Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor in your town
• Noise Induced Hearing Loss and Its Prevention Index

Hearing protection devices decrease the intensity of sound that reaches the eardrum. They come in two forms: earplugs and earmuffs.

Earplugs: Earplugs are small inserts that fit into the outer ear canal. To be effective they must totally block the ear canal with an air-tight seal. They are available in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit individual ear canals and can be custom made. For people who have trouble keeping them in their ears, they can be fitted to a headband.

Earmuffs: Earmuffs fit over the entire outer ear to form an air seal. They are held in place by an adjustable band. Earmuffs must be snugly sealed so the entire circumference of the ear canal is blocked.

Properly fitted earplugs or muffs reduce noise by 15 to 30 dB of sound. The better earplugs and earmuffs are approximately equally effective in sound reduction. However, earplugs are better protection against low frequency noise (such as noise from a jackhammer), and earmuffs are better protection against high frequency noise (such as noise from an airplane taking off). For high frequency sounds, think of the high-pitched treble keys of the piano, whereas for low frequency sounds, think of the low- or deep-pitched bass keys of the piano.

Simultaneous use of earplugs and muffs usually adds 10 to 15 dB more protection than either used alone. Combined use should be considered when the noise exceeds 105 dB. It is important to understand that ordinary cotton balls or tissue paper wads stuffed into the ear canals are very poor protectors since they only reduce noise by approximately 7 dB.

Excessive noise exposure may occur at live rock concerts as well as in more intimate venues for music whenever amplification is utilized. The damage to hearing from music is every bit as permanent as that incurred by other means. As a matter of fact, special high-fidelity earplugs have been developed specifically for such situations and are being utilized by musicians and professional sound engineers. These earplugs are specially designed to eliminate the so-called plugged (occluded) ear effect and to maintain an even reduction of sound across the frequency range. Otherwise, when the ear is plugged, the plugged ear effect makes one's voice sound more bass, or deeper, and louder. Try it by occluding your ear(s) (gently) with your finger, and speak. You'll hear the plugged ear effect.