Jj is for Jottings 147. The Effects of Noise on Hearing.
Many of us have heard about the effects of noise on hearing – noise is a significant source of hearing loss. But we need to understand how noise causes hearing loss and about different noise levels if we are to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.
LOUD NOISE CAN CAUSE HEARING LOSS QUICKLY, OR OVER TIME.
Hearing loss can result from a single loud sound (like firecrackers) near your ear. Or, more often, hearing loss can result over time from damage caused by repeated exposures to loud sounds. The louder the sound, the shorter the amount of time it takes for hearing loss to occur. The longer the exposure, the greater the risk for hearing loss. This is especially true when hearing protection is not used or there is not enough time for the ears to rest between exposures.
COMMON SOURCES OF LOUD NOISE.
Here are some common sources of loud noise to which we may be exposed. They can cause hearing loss if we are repeatedly exposed to them over time.
- Music from smart phones and similar devices, particularly when the volume is set close to the maximum
- Fitness classes
- Some children’s toys
- Concerts, restaurants, and bars
- Sporting events, such as football, hockey, and soccer games
- Motorized sporting events, such as monster truck shows or car races
- Cinemas (I often find these too loud for comfort)
- Power tools
- Lawnmowers and leaf blowers
- Sirens
- Firearms
- Firecrackers
The Effects of Noise on Hearing: “The railway line is just across the paddock. I hope my hearing isn’t affected.”
NOISES AND DECIBEL LEVELS.
Sound is measured in decibels (dB). A whisper is around 30 dB, normal conversation is about 60 dB, and a motorcycle engine running is around 95 dB. Of course, it all depends on how close you are to the source of the noise – it’s not an exact science. Noise above 70 dB over a prolonged period of time may start to damage your hearing. Loud noise above 120 dB can cause immediate harm to your ears.
Here are some examples of noises and their decibel levels.
| Noise | Noise Level (dB) | Typical Response |
| Normal Breathing | 10 | |
| Ticking Watch | 20 | |
| Refrigerator Hum | 40 | |
| Air Conditioner, normal conversation. | 60 | Sounds at these levels usually don’t cause hearing damage. |
| Washing machine, dishwasher | 70 | This level may make you feel annoyed. |
| City traffic (inside car) | 80-85 | May feel very annoying. |
| Petrol lawnmower and similar machines | 80-85 | Various lengths of exposure may cause damage to hearing. |
| Maximum volume level for most personal devices; loud radio or television; loud entertainment venues eg. night clubs, bars, pop concerts. | 105-110
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| Standing close to sirens | 120 | Pain and ear injury. |
| Firecrackers | 140-150 |
More About Decibel Levels.
How loud something sounds to you is not the same as the actual intensity of that sound.
Sound intensity, as measured in decibels, is the amount of sound energy in a confined space. Because the decibel scale is logarithmic, every 10 decibels you add multiplies the intensity of the sound 10 times. This means that 95 decibels is 10 times louder than 85 decibels and 100 times louder than a 75 decibel sound.
Two sounds which have equal intensity are not necessarily equally loud. Loudness refers to how you perceive audible sounds. A sound that seems loud in a quiet room might not be noticeable when you are on a street corner with heavy traffic, even though the sound intensity is the same.
The risk of hearing damage from noise increases with the sound intensity, not with the loudness of the sound. If you need to raise your voice to be heard at an arm’s length, the noise level in the environment is likely above 85 dB in sound intensity and could damage your hearing over time.
THE EFFECTS OF NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS.
The effects of noise-induced hearing loss and, indeed, any other form of hearing loss are far-ranging and can have a huge impact across many areas of life. The cause of hearing loss in young children is rarely due to noise, but you can read about the effects of hearing loss on children. Some of the effects also apply to noise-induced hearing loss.
You can read about hearing versus listening and how they are related.
Losing one’s hearing can also lead to a deterioration in auditory skills and auditory processing skills, all of which makes communication more frustrating and difficult.
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.
Preventing noise-induced hearing loss is really just a matter of being aware of possible damage, being motivated to prevent it, and using common sense. Now you are aware of what noise levels cause damage and have an idea of various noise levels which commonly occur around us. So you can turn down devices, or wear ear protection in situations where you can’t turn down the noise, such as mowing. Consider wearing ear protection at loud concerts, too. Our hearing is precious, and many people don’t realise just how important it is until it has deteriorated.
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