![]() ![]() Occupational hearing loss is one of the most common workplace injuries in the United States. Speak Up When It Gets Too LoudĮxposure to loud noise isn’t always a personal choice. If listening on a mobile device, consider setting a volume limit (if your device supports this), or set a timer so that you know when to give your ears a break. While it can be enticing, it’s not worth the risk of permanent hearing damage that comes from prolonged exposure to loud music. When listening to music, be mindful of the volume, and avoid turning the song up during your favorite part. Turning the volume too loud, especially while using earbuds or headphones, can be a major source of hearing damage. That’s because the sound level while doing this is almost completely dependent on the user. One area not covered on our list: recreationally listening to music. Given that sounds during these activities can easily exceed 110 dB, these environments can be incredibly harmful to hearing if protection is not used. This is equally important for those attending a stock car race or going target shooting. Extended exposure to these environments will result in permanent hearing loss if steps aren’t taken to mitigate the damage. For those who work in loud environments and industries such as construction or air traffic control, hearing protection should be considered part of the job. Earplugs and earmuffs are essential tools for preventing hearing loss in loud environments. The most obvious case of this is to utilize hearing protection. There are steps to take that will help you protect your hearing while enjoying the things you love. Just because a rock concert can be loud enough to cause immediate hearing damage doesn’t mean you can’t go see your favorite band play. Informing yourself on common decibel examples is only half the battle. Sounds above 110 dB can cause hearing damage almost immediately. Per NIOSH, a person reaches maximum daily exposure at the following times:Īs you can see, each interval of 3 dB results in half the time needed for hearing loss to occur. Organizations such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have set permissible daily exposure times based on decibel level to help protect workers who are exposed to loud sounds. Guidelines have been issued for total noise exposure. As mentioned, it’s as much about the distance and time exposed as it is about the intensity.
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