Did you know that we are at risk for potential hearing damage almost every day? To bring awareness to the importance of hearing protection, the National Institute of Health has named October National Protect Your Hearing Month. Here are some facts from a report by the NIH:
5 out of 10 young people listen to music at a volume that is too loud! Studies have suggested that 13 to 18 percent of U.S. teens have signs of possible hearing loss from noise.
4 out of 10 people are around dangerously loud noises during sporting events or concerts.
48 million people in the U.S. have trouble hearing with at least one of their ears.
The picture shown here is a decibel (dB) meter. The green color represents a safe listening environment. The yellow is potential for hearing damage and the red is highly likely possibility for hearing damage. Here are some common sounds and where they may fall on this graph:
Whisper: 30dB
Conversational speech: 65-80dB
Lawn mower: 80-100dB
Sporting Event: 94-110dB
Headphones: 96-110dB
Concert: 95-115dB
Siren: 110-129dB
Fireworks: 140-160dB
As you can see, the potential for hearing damage is all around. It is important to protect your ears before you notice the signs of hearing damage, such as pain or ringing in the ears after a loud noise. Here are some steps to protect your hearing provided by the NIH:
Lower the volume. Know which noises can cause damage: those at or above 85 decibels. If you use headphones or earbuds, keep the volume low.
Move away from the noise. If you cannot lower the volume, put some distance between you and the source.
Wear hearing protectors, such as earplugs or earmuffs, when you’re involved in a noisy activity, whether it’s mowing the lawn, using power tools, playing loud music, or attending a concert or loud sporting event. Activity-specific earplugs and earmuffs are available online and at hardware, sporting goods, and other stores. Compass Hearing Center provides hearing protection as well!
Protect the young. Protect the ears of children who are too young to protect their own.
Spread the word. Tell family, friends, and colleagues about noise hazards.
If you live in Texas, come visit our booth at the Yoakum County Hospital Wellness Fair on Thursday, October 18th to pick up your free pair of foam ear plugs!
If you or a loved one would like to have your hearing evaluated or would like to discuss hearing protection options, please contact Compass Hearing Center to schedule your appointment. Please share to help us spread the word about hearing protection!