Hearing Hazards in Everyday Life
It doesn't take a thunderous rock concert to cause hearing loss. Any repeated high-volume experiences or one-shot booms can damage the delicate nerve cells of your inner ear. And once damaged, these cells do not—we repeat, do NOT—grow back. A good rule of thumb is that damage is occurring if you have to shout to be heard over the racket.
Here are some everyday activities that carry with them possible hearing loss. You should consider using earplugs when you engage in them.
Power tools
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has done a good job of setting safe noise levels in industry, but no such guidelines exist for at-home equipment. Although many people use ear protection at work, they often don't take the same precaution at home, experts say. A power lawn mower, a leaf blower and a chainsaw all produce sound at 130 decibels, enough to damage hearing, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
Firearms
Shooters are exposed to extremely loud but short term sound when a weapon is fired. All shooters should wear hearing protectors even when shooting small caliber weapons such as a 22 rifle. Sound levels may reach 140 to 165 decibels one foot from the muzzle during firing. Here are some examples:
.22 Rifle, 145 decibels
.38 Revolver, 150 decibels
.357 Magnum, 160 decibels
.45 ACP, 165 decibels
.44 Magnum, 70 decibels
Kids' toys
Shrill infant toys and bike horns can emit quick bursts of damaging noise when repeatedly pressed or squeezed.
Hair dryers
Some hair dryers can damage your hearing as they blow dry your hair, especially at top setting for long periods, says Donna Wayner, Ph.D., an audiologist and author of several books on hearing loss, including Learning to Hear Again. Over-the-head dryers in salons are even worse, she says. Avoid prolonged use.
Rush hour
Busy traffic and highway construction can cause ringing or a sense of fullness in the ears—key signs that hearing damage has occurred. When highway noise gets deafening, drive with the windows up.
Can you hear me?
If not, you're not alone. Experts say one in 10 Americans has a hearing loss that affects the ability to understand speech. Especially tough is deciphering consonants at the ends of sentences.
"Typically, hearing loss is painless, so we think we're not vulnerable," says Dr. Wayner. "It's not like one day you can hear and the next day you can't. It's all cumulative."
Can we adapt to a louder environment?
"No," says Dr. Wayner. "People tell me that a certain level of sound used to bother them but they got used to it. In reality they have reduced the efficiency of their hearing, and in time, the problem will spread."
Various sound levels in our lives (in decibels)
Sitting in woods, 20
Sitting in living room with TV off, 40
Average street traffic, 80-85
Personal stereo, volume turned up all the way, 96
Jackhammer, 100
Explosion effects at movie theaters, 100-106
Squeaky baby toys, 110
Band music, 120
Jet takeoff, power lawn mower, leaf blower, chainsaw or other power tools, 130
Source: OSHA and the Noise Center at the League for the Hard of Hearing
