Hearing is among the five core senses a human being is blessed with which is considered as being vital for normal functioning. Our sense of hearing is what helps connect us with others around as well as the surrounding areas. However, according to statistics released via the World Health Organization, by the year 2050, an average of 900-Million individuals around the globe will possibly be afflicted with hearing disabilities, or related conditions.
Keeping into consideration the highly alarming statement issued by WHO, the population of this generation along with the next, need to be highly careful about keeping their hearing capabilities fully protected. With the ongoing technological advancements of the 20th century, we humans are surrounded by various forms of noise pollution all around us.
As the music industry too, booms, young adults, teenagers and even the elderly pay large sums of money, only to be fully exposed to extremely high-frequency sound in the form of music. Although not all noise is harmful towards the ear-drums, it is still advised to be aware of the risk associated with too much sound.
Loud events and activities whether in the form of concerts, public addresses, or even gunshots while hunting can cause significant damage to the ear canal if adequate care and caution are not exercised. NIHL, known as Noise-Including Hearing Loss can affect humans at any age when exposed to a one-time high-frequency sound similar to an explosion or even a close gunshot. NIHL can further be caused via long exposures to loud noises, such as constant drilling.
This post, therefore, is solely dedicated to discussing five ways to protect your hearing during loud events and activities for ensuring minimal to no damage, keep on reading!
Keeping Distance From The Source
Among the first and foremost form of protection from causing harm to the hearing, whether for a child or a young adult, can be in the way of keeping distance between the source of the noise. Levels of noise are always measured in the form of Decibels (dB). Being exposed to sounds, regardless of whether the exposure is prolonged, to less than 75 dB is considered safe and is highly unlikely to cause any damage to hearing.
Being exposed to noise that is measured at 85 dB or above, for more extended periods is what can cause damage, or even in severe cases hearing loss. The higher the level of decibel is measured, the louder the noise is heard. In concerts, for example, being in close proximity to the music speakers is, therefore, never advised.
Hearing Protection
Hearing protection helps with creating a barrier between the noise and the eardrums present within the ear canal. Such a barrier aids in relatively reducing the levels of Decibels reaching the ear canal. Earplugs provide the most excellent form of sound protection to the hearing system during an event/situation where the surrounding noise may be of higher frequency. Those utilizing earplugs, however, need to be carefully trained on how to insert the plugs into the ear without causing damage via wrong placement.
Hearing protection is commonly available in various forms such as earplugs as well as ear muffs, while earplugs are inserted within the ears, ear muffs consist of a band featuring ear cushioning merged with sound attenuating properties that fit carefully around the ears to minimize or completely eradicate noise.
The choice of which form of hearing protection to opt for depends from person to person, varying upon factors such as the desired level of noise reduction along with comfort. In the case of children, maximized levels of noise reduction are best advised when they are exposed to loud events; therefore, ear muffs should at all times be utilized. If you are unaware of where and which form of protection to purchase then https://doctear.com/the-best-earplugs/electronic-reviews/ can be of much assistance in analyzing the best electric plugs for noise reduction.
Recovery Period
Following prolonged exposure to loud events, such as a shooting range session or a music festival where sound frequency levels may well exceed 85 dB, it is of the utmost importance for individuals to give the ear canal a recovery period.
The recovery period begins from after the prolonged exposure to loud noise, during this time, individuals are requested to avoid using headphones on loud settings, or at least for the upcoming 24-hours to refrain being in direct exposure to loud sounds.
Taking a break
Although within the previous point, a recovery period of lasting from 16-hours to 24 hours was discussed, however, taking a break refers to moving further away from the source of the sound during the event.
Whether at the shooting range or a concert/music event, individuals are best advised to periodically move away from the hub of the noise, giving the eardrums short periods of safe dB to get used to regular functioning. Such breaks can also aid with getting rid of any buzzing, ringing or roaring that may have temporarily be caused by Tinnitus.
Medical Check-up
Last, but certainly not the least, it is of much importance to getting medical hearing screening following big events or being exposed to intense noise levels for prolonged periods. A medical practitioner can carefully check as well as analyze if any long-term or even in cases temporary damage may have been caused to the hearing senses. The sooner the detection takes place in any form of pending hearing loss; the quicker medical action can take place to recover from the damage caused due to loud noise exposure.
Hearing has an integral role in maintaining the quality of life, as well as strengthening the connection between us and the surrounding world; therefore, optimizing the sense is of the utmost importance. Along with optimizing hearing senses, protection and preventing any form of temporary or permanent damage is what all individuals should take into consideration; for that reason, take a few if not all of the above-enlisted form of protection from loud noise/sounds.
