Noise-Induced Hearing Loss – an Epidemic that is Preventable

By Linda S. Remensnyder, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology      
Hearing Associates, P.C. . . . Eliminating the Sound of Silence
35 Tower Court, Suite A
Gurnee, IL 60031
www.hearingdoc.com

In the United States, hearing loss is the third most common condition in those over 45 preceded only by high blood pressure and arthritis. A large factor contributing to this statistic is the high noise levels in the United States. From the subway to the airport, to the power tools on the weekends to the motorcycles we drive during the summer, to the music levels we listen to while exercising, to the loud movies our children attend; our citizens are becoming hearing impaired.

Prolonged exposure to potentially damaging noise levels in the workplace has been the subject of much litigation. Certainly, manufacturing environments such as steel mills, foundries, and welding plants are places people typically think of when they think of noise-induced hearing loss. The Occupational, Safety, and Health Administration (OSHA) has made great strides in terms of resolving the issue. Workers such as carpenters, electricians, and construction workers who are not employed in the manufacturing industry are not so lucky. OSHA is unable to exert pressure on their employers because those workers frequently work at different workstations and often work for different employers depending upon the season. Tinnitus (ringing of the ears) and eventual hearing loss is shrugged off as an occupational side effect because everyone has it. Our military has aggressively tried to prevent noise-induced hearing loss by mandating ear protection during target practice and other noisy maneuvers. Research conducted by the U.S. Navy has resulted in the formulation of special antioxidants (one such product is called The Hearing Pill) that can be taken prior to and after exposure to help prevent noise-induced hearing loss. Other preventative substances are in various stages of research and production. Even the sound levels of air-powered instruments that orthopedic surgeons use during surgery exceed those sound levels of manufacturing plants that are being monitored by OSHA.

Many TV and radio professionals have noise-induced hearing loss secondary to the use of earphones for monitoring equipment. And certainly, noise-induced hearing loss is an occupational hazard with musicians. Incidences of noise-induced hearing loss occurring among musicians range up to 52% in classical musicians and up to 30% in rock/pop musicians. Over the past ten years, functionally superior hearing protection products have become widely available for performing artists. Musicians have learned that if they lose their hearing, they’ve lost their livelihood. Unfortunately, they are not making the same diligent effort to preserve the hearing of their audiences. The amplifiers which face out during concerts often cause tinnitus, ear fullness, hearing loss, and sometimes hyperacusis (intolerance to loud sounds) in their attendees. Motorcycle drivers, especially those with Harley Davidsons whose mufflers have been tampered with, generally have a noise-induced hearing loss that’s worse in the right ear. Right-handed use of guns (even when restricted to the hunting season) causes noise-induced hearing loss more pronounced in the left ear. That’s because the right ear is sheltered by the right shoulder as the rifle/shotgun is positioned. Airbags and some leaf blowers have been measured to have the same noise levels as aircrafts. Aerobic instructors can have noise-induced hearing loss because they play the music so loud in the attempt to motivate their students.

IN CHILDREN: Research has confirmed that children are being exposed to excessive and potentially damaging levels of noise. A 7-year nationwide survey indicated that approximately 5.2 million Americans ages 6 to 19 have a noise-induced hearing loss in at least one ear (July 2001, Pediatrics). This is approximately one child in eight having a noise-induced hearing loss. The low-level chronic noise of everyday local traffic has also been shown to cause stress in children and raise blood pressure, heart rates, and levels of stress hormones. In addition, traffic noise has been found to adversely effect children’s motivation. Children’s toys need to be tested before purchase. If the noise levels hurt the parent’s ears, then it will definitely hurt the child’s. According to a recent newsletter from the Sight & Hearing Association, Baby’s First Cell Phone, for example, generates 90dB of noise.

Two things are certain, noise-induced hearing loss is preventable and everyone has unknown and different susceptibility to noise exposure. My own son developed bilateral tinnitus after dropping a few cherry bombs in our driveway before leaving for college. He’s now thirty-five and still has to sleep with a fan running to relieve his tinnitus. He will suffer a lifetime because of that isolated exposure. Be vigilant with your children. If you have to raise your voice to be heard while they are listening to music under earphones, then the sound levels are too high. Original earphone CD players that did not have a maximum loudness level should be replaced with newer ones which have limiting devices in place to preserve the user’s hearing.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Purchase multiple packets of those squishy spongy yellow earplugs available at sporting good stores or the pharmacy. Also purchase a good pair of headset noise protection earphones. Keep the earplugs in your purse or briefcase and keep a pair of earplugs and earphones in the garage/basement where your power tools are stored. The combination of both earplugs and earphones provides the best hearing protection. If your ears ring or you suspect hearing loss, call for an appointment so the nature of the hearing loss can be documented and you can learn further techniques to prevent further self-inflicted hearing loss. If you are taking ototoxic (hearing toxic) medications (and there are MANY of them—ask your pharmacist), be especially vigilant about not being exposed to noise because your chance of developing a hearing problem is higher than those who are not taking the medications. Your susceptibility is also significantly enhanced if you smoke or if you are a blue-eyed blond. PLEASE, don’t take your hearing for granted. You and your children need good hearing for a lifetime.