We’ve written before about how hearing loss occurs in the workplace and how it has affected musicians. For those who industries where they are exposed to loud noise on a regular basis, whether it is music or construction, the use of hearing protection helps to prevent permanent hearing loss.

Did you know, though, that there are noises in our everyday life that could lead to permanent hearing loss? Here, we cover five common noises in your life that could permanently damage your hearing.

Your Phone

These days, our phones are with us almost 24/7. Sometimes, they are the last thing we see before we go to bed. We watch videos and listen to music on our phones, and this is where your phone could pose serious damage to your hearing.

Earbuds, which now come with every smartphone, are extremely dangerous when it comes to our hearing. The positioning of earbuds in your ear canal, close to your eardrum, creates dangerous noise levels. These noise levels have been compared to the decibels one would experience while drilling in a coal mine. Additionally, because earbuds do a poor job at blocking out external noises, people tend to turn up the volume when listening to music and other media.

In addition to high volumes, the battery life of our personal electronic equipment means that we are able to listen to media for longer periods of time. The amount of time and the high-volume levels together produce conditions that could permanently damage your hearing.

Home Stereo

At maximum volume, your home stereo could hit 140 decibels. If you’re in the habit of blasting music at full volume on your stereo speakers, you are exposing yourself to sounds that exceed that of a blasting jet engine (120 decibels)! According to the National Institutes of Health, exposure to just one minute at this noise level could result in permanent hearing loss.

What to do: Consider using noise-canceling headphones, rather than earbuds. There are apps available for download that monitor your volume usage. For your kids, these apps could also set a maximum volume limit and listening time. Hearing specialists recommend listening according to the 60-60 rule: 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes a day. If you’re listening to music through your speakers, be sure to keep the volume at 60% and take frequent breaks to give your ears a rest!

Various Vehicles

What do a power lawnmower, a motorcycle, and a snow-mobile have in common? They all produce sounds in the 85-100 decibel range. Hearing specialists tell us that sounds at 85 decibels, when listened to for 1 hour, has the potential to permanently damage our hearing. If you spend extended amounts of time mowing your lawn, riding a motorcycle, or snowmobiling, you could be putting your hearing at risk.

Live Events

Whether it’s sports or a rock concert, experiencing events live is an unforgettable experience. At the same time, these events tend to be extremely loud. Between the sounds coming through speakers and the roar of fans, you could be experiencing noise between 110 to 140 decibels. Again, just one minute of exposure to volumes of this level could lead to permanent hearing loss.

Power Tools

Do-it-yourself home projects are awesome – but be careful when you’re using that nail gun or saw! Power tools range from 85 to 140 decibels, depending on the type. Even if they’re used in just short bursts, these tools could permanently damage your hearing over time.

What to do: For all of your daily activities that involve exposure to vehicle engines and loud sounds, consider getting custom hearing protection. You may find generic hearing protection, such as foam or silicon earplugs, but custom-made ones provide a higher level of protection. These are made from a mold of your ears and provide a more secure fit for better noise protection. There are specialty ear plugs available for a variety of different professions and interests, from musicians to hunters.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: What You Need to Know

Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common forms of hearing loss. It is an acquired hearing loss, and this condition could grow gradually, over an extended period of time.

Look out for the signs of hearing loss, and if you experience changes in your hearing abilities, contact us at Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services. For optimal hearing health, schedule an annual hearing test with us, so that we can monitor your hearing abilities.

Locations in Mission Viejo, Irvine, San Clemente, Laguna Beach and Laguna Hills

Call us to schedule: 949- 364-4361