How Loud is Too Loud

 

 

Protect Your Ears. Wear Ear Protection!!!

• 110 Decibels: Regular exposure of more than 1 minute risks permanent hearing loss.
• 100 Decibels: No more than 15 minutes unprotected exposure recommended.
• 85 Decibels: Prolonged exposure to any noise above 85 decibels can cause gradual hearing loss.

Hearing Helpers

 

Some Possible Solutions to hearing loss: include

 Hearing Aids: An electronic device that amplifies and changes sound to allow for improved communication. Hearing aids receive sound through a microphone, which then converts the sound waves to electrical signals. The amplifier increases the loudness of the signals and then sends the sound to the ear through a speaker.

Assistive Listening Devices: Any type of device that improves function in day-to-day communication situations. They work by improving the signal-to-noise ratio and include devices such as personal amplifiers, Fm systems, TV sets, or telephone amplifiers.

 Cochlear Implants: A device, which is surgically implanted into the mastoid and inner ear that is designed to provide sound to a patient with a profound hearing loss through a processor and external coil. Signals generated by the implant are sent by way of the auditory nerve to the brain, which recognizes the signals as sound.

Tips to Avoid Hearing Loss

• Avoid excessive exposure to noise.
• Wear hearing protection, such as earplugs, when excessive noise is unavoidable.
• Discuss concerns about medications with your doctor and take medications only as directed.
•  See a doctor if you experience persistent ringing in the ears or sudden hearing loss.
• Protect yourself from head injury by wearing a helmet while bicycling and buckling-up in the car.
• Don't put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear canal…and that includes Q-tips and cotton swabs.
•  Reduce the risk of ear infections by treating upper respiratory tract infections promptly.
• Avoid swimming in dirty water and dry your ears after swimming or bathing.

What Damages Your Hearing

• Excessive Loud Noise- Damage is caused by damage to the ear’s hair cells.
•  Ototoxic drugs and chemicals – Damage is caused when certain chemicals and drugs are taken over long periods of time.
• Disease – Damage is caused by chromic ear infections and by some diseases, such as measles, mumps, rubella and meningitis (which we receive vaccines for).
•  Injury – Damage is caused by perforation of the eardrum, head injury or large changes in air pressure.

About Sign Language

 

Sign language uses manual communication, body language, and lip patterns instead of sound to convey meaning. It simultaneously combines the shape, orientation and movement of the hands, arms, or body, and facial expressions to express a speaker's thoughts.  American Sign Language (ASL) is the dominant sign language used in The United States and in Canada.

To learn basic sign language, visit

The Hearing centre Online

National Association of the Deaf

FAQs

 

Q- Why can I hear ringing my ears after I am exposed to loud noise?

A- Ringing in the ears after exposure to loud noise is a warning sign that your ears have been overloaded. Prolonged ringing in the ears is called tinnitus and should be evaluated by your doctor or audiologist.

 

Q- Can only noises loud enough to cause an earache capable of causing damage?

A- NO!! The inner ear can still be damaged by noise without causing you to feel any pain.

 

Q- Where can I get information or treatment for hearing loss?

A- You can see your doctor, and audiologist, or an ear, nose and throat specialist.

 

Q-What do I do if I am exposed to loud noise at work?

A- See your health and safety manager immediately and have them evaluate the situation. If you are still bothered by the noise, ask for personal hearing protection such as earplugs.

 

Q-How can you tell if a sound level is too high?

A-If you have to shout when you are next to someone, or if you have to shout into the person's ear in order to be understood then the sound level is probably too loud.

  

Q- Who is eligible to receive a cochlear implant?

A- Children and adults who are deaf or severely hard-of-hearing.  Adults who have lost all or most of their hearing later in life often can benefit from cochlear implants. They learn to associate the signal provided by an implant with sounds they remember. Cochlear implants, coupled with intensive post implantation therapy, can help young children to acquire speech, language, and social skills.