Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Affects People of All Ages

When we say “hard-of-hearing,” you might conjure up an image of an elderly loved one, their hands cupped around their ears while you repeat yourself for the third time. For most people, hearing problems are either genetic (present from birth) or a problem for the elderly.

However, data from the CDC determined that the association between hearing loss and old age is not as strong as we think.

According to data from 2011-2012, between 6 and 24 percent of U.S. adults under 70 exhibited signs of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Up to 40 million U.S. adults barely old enough to retire have permanent damage in their ears. That’s not all—a separate study found that up to 17 percent of teenagers have hearing loss for the same reason.

Why People Are Losing Their Hearing

Noise-induced hearing loss is widespread but preventable. So why doesn’t anyone do anything about it? Because people don’t know they have NIHL until the effects are too far gone.

People unknowingly suffer from NIHL because it’s the result of gradual damage. See, hair cells in your inner ear transmit sound vibrations into electrical signals for your brain. Loud noises kill these hair cells. When loud noises cause hair cells to die, you don’t notice the loss of a few cells. However, over time, voices become more muffled; voicemails are harder to decipher; phone calls become less convenient.

So what noises do you avoid?

Any noises above 85 decibels could potentially cause hearing loss—this includes both impulse noises (one-time and immediate) and ongoing noises. The most common sufferers of NIHL include people who are exposed to loud noises on a daily basis (people in woodworking shops, construction workers, musicians, people who listen to their music too loud). For reference, the sound of a motorcycle engine up close is 95 decibels.

Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

It’s not too late to save your hearing! Here are a few simple steps to prevent further damage:

• Wear ear protection at work or at concerts.
• Turn down your music.
• If possible, situate yourself away from sources of noise.
• Protect your children’s ears while out and about.
• Get your hearing tested to find out how urgent your loss is.

Remember: most people with hearing loss wait until it’s too late before they change their behavior. Making a small change today could radically change your future.