Exposure to different sounds every day is a normal part of our lives but once this mixture of different noises becomes too loud for your ears, it can potentially cause a significant damage. And that is what Noise-Induced Hearing Loss is about. This condition is the result of being exposed to very loud noises which lasts for a long amount of time. The damage these loud sounds cause to your ears is the destruction of hair cells. Hair cells are ends of nerves that are sensitive and very vulnerable to damage especially when open to sounds that are beyond normal. When hair cells become damaged, it can't grow back and the ability of a person to convert sounds into electrical signals fails. Most people who have this type of hearing loss are not aware of their condition even when the symptom of the illness increases.
Who are mostly vulnerable to this type of Hearing Loss?
Everyone both young and old can become susceptible to Noise-induced Hearing Loss. This possibility is revealed with the prevalence of young and old individuals who suffer from this kind of condition regardless of their status, class and work. In the United States alone, there are about 13% of teenagers who are suffering from NIHL while there are about 17% of adults who are suffering from that same illness.
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According to study, this is the most common type of hearing loss since everyone is exposed to unfriendly sounds everywhere. And with the high prevalence of people suffering from Noise-Induced Hearing Loss, most people believe that it's quite normal to have a decrease in hearing especially when age progresses.
What are the common symptoms exhibited by people with Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?
Since some people with Noise-Induced Hearing Loss are unaware of their condition, it is only through successive hearing tests this illness can be diagnosed and known. On the other hand, this condition is manifested through experiencing tinnitus, decreasing hearing capacity, and muffled or distorted sounds coming from the environment. Because of this, most people with NIHL may request or prefer maximizing the volume of their televisions, radios and even shout when talking to people to compensate on their decreased capacity to hear.
Can Noise-Induced Hearing Loss be treated?
If you are suffering from Noise-Induced Hearing Loss you should know that there are no medical or surgical interventions that can correct the damages caused by loud noise. The nerve damage in NIHL is permanent and the only management you can do is by using devices to help you hear or learning a different way of communicating like sign language and/or lip reading.
If Noise-Induced Hearing Loss can't be treated how can it be prevented?
A recent research shows that even if you are constantly exposed to loud sounds you can still avoid having NIHL through the following:
Understanding what it takes to have NIHL
Identifying tools and ways which can make you exposed to loud noises
Limit your exposure to loud sounds that can potentially damage your hearing
Always use friendly volumes of sounds to prevent NIHL
Have a habit of cleaning your ears without using buds that can push debris and wax farther into your ear canal.
Use protection (earplugs) when you cannot prevent getting exposed to loud sounds.
Always have your hearing evaluated properly at least once or twice a year.
By keeping attention of these recommendations you can really avoid Noise-Induced Hearing Loss.
Posted in: Hearing Loss
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