Noise pollution is all around you. It’s defined as unwanted, excessive or disturbing sounds that negatively affect your health or listening environment. You may be surprised by how often you encounter noise pollution and could be at greater risk for hearing loss than you realize. Things like traffic and home appliance sounds can lead to hearing damage over time. And the growing use of headphones and earbuds amongst all age groups continues to bring dangerous noise levels closer to the inner ear.
How Noise Pollution Affects Hearing Health
Your outer ear and ear canal direct sound waves through your eardrum, which flexes in response. It creates vibrations, moving the fluid and tiny hair cells in your inner ear that change the stimulation into electrical signals for your brain. Noise exposure can cause irreparable damage to those hair cells, making it more difficult to send auditory stimulation.
Any sound louder than 85 decibels could impact your hearing health. That includes power tools, sporting events, concerts, emergency sirens, restaurants, hairdryers, lawnmowers and vacuum cleaners. Initial exposure may result in temporary hearing loss that “fades” over time. However, the damage is permanent and can worsen without treatment.
Long-Term Health Effects Beyond Hearing Loss
Stress: Loud noises can put your body into fight or flight mode, increasing your adrenaline and cortisol levels. That might leave you feeling anxious and tense in environments with noise pollution, such as airports, highways and restaurants. Long-term stress can contribute to poor concentration, acid reflux and decreased immunity.
Sleep issues: Noise pollution and hearing loss can affect your sleep cycle. They impact your brain’s ability to remain in a REM cycle and can cause you to wake throughout the night. That can lead to insomnia and daytime drowsiness.
Poor cardiovascular health: Persistent noise exposure can raise your cortisol levels, which in turn increases your blood pressure and heart rate. Long-term exposure could damage your blood vessels and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Mental fatigue: Noise-induced hearing loss makes it difficult for your brain to interpret sounds, so it must work harder to understand auditory cues. Constant noise exposure not only depletes your hearing health, but also affects your focus and memory formation.
Signs of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
- Conversations appear muffled
- Frequently asking others to speak up or repeat themselves
- Regularly turning up the volume on the TV or music devices
- Tinnitus
- Sudden hearing loss after noise exposure
- Physical discomfort
- Difficulty distinguishing consonant sounds
High Risk Environments and Daily Exposure
If you work in a specific career field or enjoy certain hobbies, you may be more likely to develop noise-induced hearing loss.
Jobs in the following industries that can cause hearing loss:
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Aviation
- Military
- Music and entertainment
- Agriculture
- Transportation
These hobbies also contribute to auditory issues:
- Hunting
- Motorsports
- Video gaming
- Traveling
- Fitness
What To Do if You Suspect Noise-Related Hearing Loss
Being proactive about your hearing health allows you to prevent further damage. Contact an audiologist for a hearing test so you can get a comprehensive overview of your hearing ability. You can also ask questions and access resources and information.
Your audiologist will help you create a plan to limit your noise exposure, which may include lowering the volume on your devices, reducing listening time, finding solutions with your employer and investing in custom hearing protection. You can also download decibel-reading apps to monitor your acoustic surroundings and limit exposure.
Comprehensive Treatment for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
If you’re looking for audiology services or hearing aids in northern Iowa or southern Minnesota, then come to Hearing Associates. Our expert team excels at creating personalized hearing treatment plans so you can enjoy the sounds around you. Call us or request an appointment online.