High-intensity noise is hazardous for your hearing. People who work in noisy environments, such as factory floors or construction sites, often develop hearing loss because of the loud sound waves they are exposed to constantly. Hearing loss can also happen due to prolonged exposure to other sources of noise such as music, especially with the rise of portable music players like iPods and MP3 players that pump out high volumes of sound at high frequencies.
Here are some simple ways you can protect your hearing from music and other noise.
How Noise Affects Your Hearing
The effects of noise on hearing are cumulative. Hearing loss happens over time because your auditory system is not able to keep up with the high-intensity sound waves that enter your ear. Immediate symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss include a ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears that can be accompanied by sensitivity to loud noises and balance issues.
What can you do to protect yourself?
Decreasing the volume on your MP3 player will help protect your hearing.
Turning down the volume on speakers or headphones before you put them on will also protect your hearing.
If you have tinnitus (ringing in the ears), reducing the volume of one source of noise might stop it from bothering you too much.
Ways to Protect Your Hearing
There are a few easy ways to protect your hearing when you’re around loud noises.
First and foremost, it’s important to see a hearing care specialist in Southern Maine. It’s also important to follow the doctor’s recommendations for your treatment.
Additionally, try and limit your exposure to noise. If you work in a noisy environment, it’s important that you keep your distance from the noise source. This will decrease any damage to your hearing.
Another way to protect your hearing is by using earplugs or earmuffs with high-fidelity protection as these devices reduce the volume of sound waves reaching your ears without compromising the quality of sound.
