Not that loud. Turn it down. Children Exposed to Loud Noise

The truth about noise and hearing loss.
Earbuds and headphones help us keep our hands free to do other tasks, but they can also lead to noise-induced hearing loss if not used correctly.  Studies suggest that misuse or overuse of personal audio devices will lead to cognitive overload and result in impaired performance.  For those of you who dislike little buds in your ears or headphones, that’s fine, but you are not exempt from experiencing noise-induced hearing loss, especially if you attend loud recreational activities like rock concerts, NASCAR races or Monster Jam motorsport events.  Very loud noise can cause permanent hearing loss. Listening to loud noise for long periods of time can damage the hair cells in the inner ear. Noise-induced hearing loss usually develops gradually and painlessly. A single exposure to an extremely loud sound such as an explosion can cause a sudden loss of hearing. This is called acoustic trauma.

Noise-induced hearing loss can affect many aspects of life. In young children, it impairs language acquisition. Learning disabilities, anxiety and attention-seeking behaviours are also common in children exposed to loud sounds.

The impact of chronic noise exposure in children is reflected in lowered academic performance and outcomes as well as reduced motivation and concentration.

If you must listen, make sure you listen safely.
The healthy hearing threshold is generally taken as 0 dB (11); a whisper is around 30 dB and normal conversation approximately 60 dB (124). Some common sounds and their intensities (dB) are indicated below.  Ears are designed to process the moderate levels of sound that exist in our normal environment (e.g. quiet conversation). Common recreational activities (e.g. rock concerts, listening to personal music players), however, often involve exposure to much higher sound levels for extended periods, and scientific evidence is accumulating to demonstrate that these recreational noise activities are potentially harmful to hearing. The factors that determine the level of risk are the intensity and duration of noise exposure.  Hearing protection devices can be broadly classified as either earplugs, which are inserted at the entrance of the ear canal, or earmuffs, which cover the outside of ear

Wearing ear plugs.
Ticketmaster, the ticket sales and distribution company for Monster Jam says, “We highly recommend ear protection, particularly for children that are sensitive to loud noises. At any live sporting event, children or adults may be sensitive to the noise level. Ear plugs and headphones are sold at Monster Jam merchandise stands. You can also bring your own ear protection.”  The Monster Jam website says, “Our concessions staff does sell Monster Jam Tire novelty ear protection and disposable ear plugs while supplies last at each event.”

When visiting discotheques, bars, sporting events and other noisy places or participating in rifle shooting, use of hearing protection helps to avoid damage to hearing. Many countries have legislated, to a varying degree, on the use of personal hearing protection in the occupational setting. However, there is little in the way of legislation, guidelines or recommendations for use of hearing protection for recreational noise exposure.

How can noise-induced hearing loss be treated?
There is no medical or surgical cure for noise-induced hearing loss: damaged hair cells cannot regenerate . Once hearing loss begins, however, its progression can be halted by avoiding further exposure to loud sounds.  At present, there are only limited management options – such as hearing aids and counselling – for individuals with even a low degree of noise-induced hearing loss.  Current treatment methods for noise-induced hearing loss focus on people in severely noisy environments such as the military.

Google Search | Hearing Loss Data

At Achieve Hearing & Rehabilitation we believe that education leads to a person's success. That's why we spend extra time with our patients to make sure they understand the results of their evaluations and personalized care plans. Achieve Hearing specializes in advanced digital hearing technologies, diagnostic audiological testing, transitioning individuals from hearing loss to successful hearing aid use, and central auditory processing.  Most adults acquire hearing loss gradually over time. Thus, many people with a significant hearing loss avoid getting help because they do not realize they have a problem.  If you or someone you know demonstrates any signs and symptoms of hearing loss please call us at 972-608-0416 to discuss how Achieve Hearing can help.


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References: 
WHO World Health Organization | Hearing loss due to recreational exposure to loud sounds
Causes of Hearing Loss in Adults | Acoustic Trauma
Ticketmaster | Monster Jam
Monster Jam | Do you supply ear protection?
Gas Monkey Garage

Loud Super Bowl and Crowd Noise

NFL Conference Championships | New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos (18 - 20 Broncos)

For diehard football fans, nothing beats screaming your lungs out in the stadium alongside tens of thousands of other fans.

There is, however, a downside: hearing loss.

With the battle among fans to be the loudest crowd getting almost as competitive as the NFL itself, hearing experts say it's time for a serious conversation about the damage caused by crowd noise.

Source: Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close: Fans Risk Hearing Loss

Family and friends will gather at tailgate parties during the Super Bowl while others search high and low for one more chair to somehow squeeze into an already crowded living room.  There will be man caves bulging with testosterone around the world.  Some lucky football fans will have the opportunity to experience this mega event in epic proportions – cheering for their favorite Super Bowl team at Levi's Stadium.  This all sounds great until you lean how the loud Super Bowl screaming and continuous exposure to crowd noise can be really bad for your ears.


Did you know?
Decibel levels exceeded 118 dB during this seasons NFL playoff game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 decibels can cause hearing loss. NIHL can be caused by a one-time exposure to an intense “impulse” sound, such as an explosion, or by continuous exposure to loud sounds over an extended period of time.

So when we look specifically at the degree of hearing loss we are talking about the severity of the loss. Example: Mild hearing loss range is 26 to 40 dB HL (decibel hearing loss).

Hearing loss can affect relationships, education, productivity, and most importantly, emotional well being. For the estimated 30 million people in the U.S. who have a hearing loss, selecting the most suitable hearing solution can be a critical factor in achieving a balanced life.  Achieve Hearing & Rehabilitation helps patients overcome different types of hearing loss. If you or someone you know demonstrates any signs and symptoms of hearing loss please call us at 972-608-0416 to discuss how Achieve Hearing can help.

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How loud is it?

In recent years, paper towels and inefficient hot-air hand dryers in many public restrooms have been replaced by cool-air hand dryers that are intended to dry hands in less than 15 seconds and cut down on the cost and waste of paper towels. Unfortunately, the more efficient, modern hand dryers produce extreme noise levels, especially when people lower their hands into the dryers’ high-speed jets of cool air.  With some high-speed hand dryers cranking out as much as 100 decibels, public restrooms can sometimes sound like a Megadeth concert. And that’s not exactly music to the ears for those with hearing-related issues including tinnitus

Source: Dallas Morning News / Arts & Life / Health & Fitness / Health

Did you know?

Tinnitus refers to "ringing in the ears" when no other sound is present. Tinnitus can sound like hissing, roaring, pulsing, whooshing, chirping, whistling, or clicking.

According to The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), almost everyone at one time or another has experienced brief periods of mild ringing or other sounds in the ear. Some people have more annoying and constant types of tinnitus. One third of all adults experience tinnitus at some time in their lives. About 10%–15% of adults have prolonged tinnitus requiring medical evaluation. The exact cause of tinnitus is often not known. One thing is certain: Tinnitus is not imaginary.

Achieve Hearing & Rehabilitation is a speech and hearing clinic in Plano, Texas. We offer speech language pathology and audiological services for children and adults of all ages. Achieve is in-network with Aetna, Cigna, BlueCrossBlueShield, Medicare, and United Healthcare. We can help obtain information about your policy to determine if services are covered under. Please call us at 972-608-0416.

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The Risks of Exposing Your Ears to Shotgun Noise

Did you know?
Exposing your ears to shotgun firing (140 - 165 decibels) is at the top of the list for loud noises that can result in permanent hearing loss.  To be exact, regular exposure of more than 1 minute at or above 110 decibels risks permanent hearing loss.

"You do not want to reach the point of no return when it comes to your ability to hear clearly or even worse, lose your ability to hear altogether." – Michael Gehan, Audiologist, Achieve Hearing & Rehabilitation

If you live in Texas and take advantage of one of the 8 hunting regions (Trans-Pecos, Panhandle, Cross Timbers, Edwards Plateau, Post Oak Savannah, Pinewoods, Costal Prairies, South Texas) or shooting simply enjoy visiting the gun range, please make sure you adhere to safety recommendation for recreational firearm noise exposure which could result in Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). NIHL is the only type of hearing loss that is completely preventable. If you understand the hazards of noise and how to practice good hearing health, you can protect your hearing for life.

Common safeguards that guard your ears from hearing loss:

• National Institutes of Health - Foam insert earplugs can keep some sound intensity from reaching the eardrum, as can protective earmuffs, available at hardware and sport stores. For better ear protection, talk with a hearing specialist about getting a custom-fitted ear mold.

• Central Texas Gun Works - Mandatory Range Equipment to Qualify : Covered Ear ProtectionDouble-protect your ears, like putting muffs over plugs, when shooting big-bore firearms.

• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services - Wear earplugs or other protective devices when involved in a loud activity (activity-specific earplugs and earmuffs are available at hardware and sporting goods stores).  Protect the ears of children who are too young to protect their own.

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association - Protecting Your Hearing From Firearm Noise. Using appropriate hearing protective devices (HPDs), such as earmuffs or earplugs.

• National Rifle Association - Law Enforcement Training › Instructor Development Schools; The following equipment is REQUIRED and must be provided by the student for ALL firearm instructor development schools: Ear Protection, Ear plugs or ear muffs (preferred).

An estimated 26 million Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 already have irreversible hearing loss caused by loud sounds. And up to 16% of teens have hearing loss that may have been caused by loud noise. This makes loud noise one of the most common causes of hearing loss. 

The Risks of Shotgun Noise

People who use firearms are more likely to develop hearing loss than those who do not. Firearm users tend to have high-frequency permanent hearing loss, which means that they may have trouble hearing speech sounds like "s," "th," or "v" and other high-pitched sounds.  The left ear (in right-handed shooters) often suffers more damage than the right ear because it is closer to, and directly in line with, the muzzle of the firearm.  The extremely loud bursts of sound, such as gunshots or explosions, which can rupture the eardrum or damage the bones in the middle ear. This kind of NIHL can be immediate and permanent.

Shotgun Noise Audio Recording

Loud noise exposure can also cause tinnitus which is a ringing, buzzing, or roaring in the ears or head. Tinnitus (affects a minimum of 1 in every 10 American adults) may subside over time, but can sometimes continue constantly or occasionally throughout a person’s life. Hearing loss and tinnitus can occur in one or both ears. Click here to lean about the three most common types of hearing loss.

The side effects of hearing loss can result in anxiety and feelings of isolation if left untreated. But there are other consequential side effects (Fatigue, Earning Power, Dementia) that are less obvious or well known. 

Hearing Loss Protection

The good news is that people can prevent hearing loss by using appropriate hearing protective devices (HPDs), such as earmuffs or earplugs. The first step is to have your ears tested for hearing loss.  At Achieve Hearing & Rehabilitation we can assess your abilities to hear clearly and produce custom earplugs for the hunting enthusiast.

Achieve Hearing & Rehabilitation is a speech and hearing clinic in Plano, Texas. Achieve Hearing offers speech-language pathology and audiological services, as well as hearing aids for children and adults of all ages. The Achieve Hearing staff includes an Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathologists that are licensed in the state of Texas and certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).  We know that most adults acquire hearing loss gradually over time. Thus, many people with a significant hearing loss avoid getting help because they do not realize they have a problem.  You can take the online hearing exam and call us today 972-608-0416 to schedule hearing exam.

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