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How to prevent hearing loss is a matter of great concern. While not all forms of hearing loss are preventable, you can take steps to reduce your risk of developing age-related hearing loss or noise-induced hearing loss.
1. What is hearing loss or hearing loss?
Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent. It usually happens gradually as you get older, but sometimes it can happen suddenly. See your GP immediately if you notice any problems with your hearing so that the cause can be found and advice on the best treatment.
1.1. Signs and symptoms of hearing loss
It is not always easy to tell if you have a hearing loss. Common signs include:
Difficulty hearing others and misinterpreting what they say, and especially in noisy places; Ask people to repeat; Listen to music or watch loud TV; It takes a lot of concentration to hear what others are saying, which can make you tired or stressed. The signs may be slightly different if you only have hearing loss in one ear or if a young child has hearing loss.
1.2. When to get medical help?
See your GP or ENT specialist as soon as possible for help if you think you are experiencing hearing loss in the following situations:
If you or your child suddenly lose hearing sense (in one or both ears); If you think your or your child's hearing is getting worse. Your GP will ask about your symptoms and look inside your ear. Your doctor may also perform some simple tests on your hearing. If needed, they can refer you to a specialist for better hearing testing.
1.3. Causes of hearing loss
Hearing loss can have many different causes. Example:
Sudden hearing loss in one ear may be caused by earwax, an ear infection, a perforated eardrum, or is associated with Ménière's disease; Sudden hearing loss in both ears can be caused by damage, too loud noise, or by taking certain medications that can affect hearing; Gradual hearing loss in one ear can be caused by something inside the ear, such as fluid (otocele), bone growth (otosclerosis), or a buildup of skin cells (cholesteatoma). ; Gradual hearing loss in both ears is usually due to aging or exposure to loud noises over many years. This can tell you the reason for your hearing loss but make sure you see your GP for an accurate diagnosis. However, a clear cause is not always identified.
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2. How to prevent hearing loss?
In the United States, hearing loss is the 3rd most common chronic physical condition after high blood pressure and arthritis. It's no surprise that hearing loss is one of the most common work-related illnesses. Workers are faced with occupational noise hazards on a daily basis.
2.1. Why is it important to prevent hearing loss?
Most work-related hearing loss is permanent and it can have a profound effect on quality of life. As hearing loss worsens, it becomes increasingly difficult to hear and understand others, which can lead to isolation. Here are the effects hearing loss has that we must take measures to prevent:
Hearing loss has been linked to cognitive decline (mental illness) and heart problems, for example such as high blood pressure and metabolic cardiovascular disease ; Hearing loss is also strongly associated with depression; Hearing loss can lead to loss of enjoyment, when all the sounds we want to hear (e.g. music, the voice of a loved one) are muted and lack quality; Tinnitus, which often occurs with hearing loss, can disrupt sleep and concentration, and is associated with both depression and anxiety; Hearing loss can affect safety at home and at work; Earnings are generally lower for workers with hearing loss, compared with workers with normal hearing. Fortunately, with today's hearing loss prevention strategies and technologies, it is nearly always possible to prevent work-related hearing loss.
2.2. What can you do to prevent work-related hearing loss?
Find out if noise in your workspace is dangerous. If you have to raise your voice to speak to someone within arm's reach, the noise could be dangerously high. You can also check the noise level with a sound level meter app on your phone, such as the NIOSH Sound Level Meter app.
Ask your safety manager or immediate supervisor to check the noise levels in your workplace, making sure they are below 85dBA. Reduce your noise exposure:
Pause noisy activity. Noise reduction at the source of the noise. Use equipment quieter and keep it well-maintained and lubricated. Seal the source of the noise or put a barrier between you and the source. Increase the distance between you and the source of the noise. Reduce your time in noisy areas. Always wear hearing protection in noisy areas, and if using foam plugs, install them properly. If you're listening to music or something else, keep the volume at a safe level and listen only in quiet areas. Reduce or stop your exposure to chemicals that can damage your hearing by:
Using less toxic or non-toxic chemicals. Wear gloves, long sleeves and eye protection. Wear a respirator or other protective equipment, if appropriate. Read and follow all chemical safety instructions.
3. Some ways to prevent hearing loss
Hearing loss isn't always preventable - sometimes it's just part of getting older. But hearing loss from exposure to loud noises is completely avoidable. There are some simple things you can do to help prevent loud noises from permanently damaging your hearing, no matter how old you are.
3.1. Avoid loud noises to help reduce hearing loss
The best way to prevent noise-induced hearing loss is to stay away from loud noises as much as possible. In general, a noise is loud enough to damage your hearing if:
You have to raise your voice to talk to others; You can't hear what the people around you are saying; Noise hurts your ears; You have tinnitus or muffled hearing afterward. Noise level is measured in decibels (dB), the higher the number, the louder the noise. Any sound above 85dB can be harmful, especially if you are exposed to it for long periods of time.
To get an idea of how loud this is:
Whisper - 30dB; Conversation - 60dB; Heavy traffic from 70 to 85dB; Motorcycle - 90dB; Listen to music at full volume through headphones from 100 to 110dB; Aircraft take off - 120dB. You can download smartphone apps to measure noise levels, but make sure they are set up (calibrated) properly to get the most accurate readings.
3.2. Be careful when listening to music
Listening to music at high volume through headphones is one of the biggest dangers to your hearing. To avoid damaging your hearing, we need to:
Use noise-cancelling headphones or headphones - don't just turn up the volume to mask outside noises; Turn up the volume just enough for you to hear the music comfortably, but not higher; Don't listen to music at more than 60% of maximum volume - some devices have settings you can use to limit the volume automatically; Do not use headphones for more than 1 hour at a time - take breaks of at least 5 minutes every hour; Even turning the volume down a little can make a big difference to your risk of hearing damage.
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3.3. Protect your hearing during noisy events and activities
Need to protect your hearing during noisy activities and events (such as at nightclubs, gigs or sporting events):
Keep away from loud noise sources (such as loudspeakers); Try to take a break from the noise every 15 minutes; Give your hearing about 18 hours to recover after you are exposed to a lot of loud noise; Consider wearing earplugs, you can still buy reusable musician's earplugs to reduce the volume of your music but not muffle it.
3.4. Precautions at work
If you are exposed to loud noise at work, talk to your human resources (HR) or occupational health manager. Your employer is obligated to make changes to reduce your exposure to loud noise, by:
Switch to quieter equipment if you can; Make sure you are not exposed to loud noises for a long time; Provide hearing protection such as earplugs or earplugs.
3.5. Test your hearing
Get a hearing test as soon as possible if you are concerned that you may have hearing loss. The earlier hearing loss is detected, the sooner something can be done. You may also consider having your hearing tested regularly (e.g., once a year) if you are at high risk for noise-induced hearing loss, for example, if you are a musician or work in noisy environment.
In summary, not all forms of hearing loss are preventable, but you can take steps like the ones above to reduce your risk of developing age-related hearing loss or noise-induced hearing loss .
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References: nhs.uk, webmd.com, cdc.gov
