Noise-induced hearing loss develops when a patient has been exposed to noise over a long period of time or experienced a severe burst of high-decibel noise. Let’s find out more.
Understanding Sound Intensity
If you’re enjoying a quiet day in the suburbs, you’ll usually be exposed to sounds of between 30 and 70 decibels. This is a safe level of noise. Lawnmowers and traffic emit levels of up to 85 dB. This is the “caution” zone. If you’re repeatedly exposed to those levels, you might ultimately develop NIHL. Sounds of 90 dB or more can cause damage in just an hour.
How Noise Damage Happens
Acoustic trauma can tear your tissue and destroy the cells in the outer, middle, and inner ear. Intense pressure on the eardrum can cause a total rupture, while chronic noise exposure can dislocate the ear bones in the middle ear. An audiologist Cheltenham will help you to diagnose the problem and address it.
How NIHL is Treated
NIHL can’t be cured, but an audiologist can help you correct hearing deficits with implants, hearing aids, and assistive listening devices. They might also suggest custom earplugs to prevent further damage. If you suspect your hearing has been affected by noise, sites such as https://www.imperialhearing.com/audiologist-near-me/cheltenham/ will help you track down an audiologist in your area.
The sensory hair cells in the inner ear can’t restore themselves, but implants can improve even severe hearing loss. Your audiologist can also address tinnitus and provide hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss.
