How loud is too loud?

Noise Induced hearing loss is on the rise, especially in teenagers!   Yes, teenagers are exposed to more loud sounds than ever before.  Some sources of loud sound include; music players, car races, even toys such as a fire truck with a siren are loud enough to harm hearing.

It’s not easy to know when sound is too loud.  That is because it’s not just about how loud a sound is.  “Too loud” is a combination of the volume of the sound and how long one is exposed to it.  The louder a sound is, the shorter the permissible length of exposure. 

Sound is measured in decibels (dB). Generally, exposure to a sound at 85 dB over 8 hours is acceptable.  For every three dB increase in the sound, the acceptable time is cut in half.  For example if the volume is 88 dB, it is safe for 4 hours, 91 dB is safe for 2 hours, 94 dB for 1 hour, etc.

Here is a guide to help you determine the volume of some common sounds. 

60 dB—Normal conversations or dishwashers
80 dB—Alarm clocks
90 dB—Hair dryers, blenders, and lawnmowers
100 dB—MP3 players at full volume
110 dB—Concerts, car racing, and sporting events
120 dB—Jet planes at take off
130 dB—Ambulances and fire engine sirens
140 dB—Gun shots, fireworks, and custom car stereos at full volume

Here are few rules to go by.  You know a the sound is too loud if; you have to shout over the background noise to be heard, if the volume actually causes pain, if the noise makes your ears ring or if you have decreased or muffled hearing after being exposed to the sound. 

There are three ways to protect your hearing; use earplugs or muffs, move away from the source of the sound or turn the volume down when using a music player. Never use a music player to cover up the sound of another unwanted sound such as the lawn mower.  Use ear plugs or noise canceling plugs to decrease the volume of the unwanted noise.

When someone is exposed to loud sounds it is important to have regular hearing evaluations by an audiologist.  If you or a loved one is exposed to loud sound, have a baseline hearing evaluation.  Why wait?  

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!

Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA

Advanced Audiology Concepts

8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848

http://www.aacHEAR.org

Second Hand Smoke, Hearing loss and Children

ScienceDaily.com reported a recent study showing secondhand smoke caused hearing loss in teens.  The study looked at 1500, 12-19 year olds for nicotine and hearing loss.  They found those exposed to the secondhand smoke were twice as likely to have hearing loss then those who were not exposed. The more secondhand smoke the teens were exposed to the greater the risk for hearing loss.

They found hearing was affected in the mid to high frequency range interfering with the ability to understand words and speech. This caused words to be misheard.  In a classroom the teens can mishear teachers resulting in misunderstanding information and assignments, ultimately affecting school performance.

Hearing loss among teens and children is on the rise.  Secondhand smoke is not the only cause.  Teens are also at risk for noise induced hearing loss.  12.5% of 6-19 year olds have documented hearing loss related to noise exposure. Learn more about hearing loss at: http://aacHEAR.org/education

Teens with undiagnosed and untreated hearing loss often have socialization problems. They can have difficulty in social situations, lack self confidence and have low self esteem.  Also, teens who cannot hear well in the classroom get bored, act out and become labeled troublemakers or labeled as ADHD. 

Typically misheard words and speech are blamed on the speaker.  Rarely does one realize hearing is the culprit.  If your child or teen misunderstands words or information, schedule an appointment with an audiologist for a hearing evaluation. 

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!

Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts
8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848
http://www.aacHEAR.org/

Reference and for more information go to: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110718164026.htm

How loud is too loud?

We are often asked "how loud does a sound need to be before it’s harmful to hearing?"  "How do you know how loud a sound is?"

These are great questions.  People are often uncertain about how loud is too loud. “Too loud” is a combination of the volume of the sound and how long one is exposed to the sound.  The louder a sound is, the shorter the permissible duration.  Generally 85 decibel (decibel (dB) is a measure of sound loudness) over an 8 hour exposure is considered acceptable.  For every three dB increase the acceptable time is cut in half.  For example if the volume is 88 dB, it is safe for 4 hours, 91 dB is safe for 2 hours.

Here is a guide to help you determine the volume of some common sounds. 

• 60 dB—Normal conversations or dishwasher
•  80 dB—Alarm clock
•  90 dB—Hair dryers, blenders, and lawnmower
• 100 dB—MP3 players at full volume
• 110 dB—Concerts, car racing, and sporting events
• 120 dB—Jet planes at take off
• 130 dB—Ambulances and fire engine sirens
• 140 dB—Gun shots, fireworks, and custom car stereos at full volume

One dangerous trend we see among you people is using a music player to cover up the sound of the lawn mower.  When you do the calculations, listening to 100 dB is safe for only 15 minutes.

Here a few good “rules of thumb”.  You know the noise is too loud if; you have to shout over the background noise to be heard, if the volume actually causes pain, if the noise makes your ears ring or if you have decreased or muffled hearing after being exposed to the sound.  There are three ways to protect your hearing; use earplugs or muffs, move away from the source of the sound or turn the volume down when using a music player.

When someone is exposed to loud sounds it is important to have regular hearing evaluations.  If you or a loved one is exposed to loud sound, have a baseline hearing evaluation.  Why wait?  Call now for an appointment. 

Life Sounds Great!  Enjoy Every Moment!

Dr. Jane Kukula, AuD

Paula Webster, MA

Advanced Audiology Concepts

8897 Mentor Ave

Mentor, Ohio 44060

440-205-8848

www.aacHEAR.org

Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Children

I recently diagnosed a 12 year old boy with noise induced hearing loss equal to the hearing of a 6o year old factory worker.  His mom asked "How can my 12 year have been exposed to that much noise?"

Hearing loss can happen at any age or stage of life.  We are finding more and more children are damaging their hearing through exposure to loud sound.  Surprisingly, about 12 percent of children between the ages of 6–19 have noise-induced hearing loss.   Unfortunately, noise-induced hearing loss is usually permanent and it is preventable!  Loud sound damaged the fragile nerve endings called hair cells.  Once enough hair cells are damaged there is a loss of hearing.  That is why hearing protective measures are so important. 

Children today are exposed to loud sounds in many ways.  Here are just a few: noisy toys, sporting events, band class, motorbikes, yard and farm equipment, movie theaters, shop class, arcades, concerts, firearms, firecrackers and fireworks, power tools and MP3 players. 

There are steps you can take to protect your son from further damage.  First, think about his activities and see if you can determine where the noise exposure is coming from.  Does he use the MP3 player to cover up the sound of the lawn mower?  When used to cover a sound that is already too loud only increases the risk for damage.

There are three ways to prevent noise induced hearing loss: turn down the volume, use ear plugs or move away from the source of the sound.  Here are few examples.  When mowing the lawn use earplugs to decrease the volume of the mower.  When at a race track, sit further back, away from the track (you also need to wear earplugs or muffs).  Don’t use a music player set at more than ½ volume.

To help your son learn more about hearing, hearing loss, and hearing protection, check out www.dangerousdecibels.org.  If he continues to be exposed to loud sounds, have regular hearing evaluations to monitor his hearing and hearing protection use.  

Life Sounds Great! Enjoy Every Moment!

Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts

8897 Mentor Ave.

Mentor, Ohio 44060

440-205-8848

Fax: 440-2050-9818

website: http://www.aachear.org/