What is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?

• NIHL is a common injury caused by loud noises.
• NIHL can happen over time or from a single loud event.
• Repeated exposure to loud sounds can lead to permanent hearing loss.

Causes of NIHL:

For a noise to cause hearing loss, it must have two things: loudness and time. A sound must be loud to hurt your hearing. You also must be around the noise for a length of time for it to hurt you. The louder the sound, the shorter amount of time you can be around it before it damages your hearing.

Impact of NIHL:

• You may not notice hearing loss in quiet environments.
• Hearing difficulties become apparent in noisy settings.
• This can affect communication and mission readiness.

Prevalence and Risk Factors

Prevalence:

• About 30 million Americans are exposed to dangerous noise levels at work.
• Military personnel may still suffer from NIHL despite wearing hearing protection.

Risk Factors:

• Noisy work environments: Loud machinery, vehicles, and weapons.
• Military operations: Exposure to noise during combat and training.
• Improper use of hearing protection: Not using protective devices correctly or consistently.
• Inadequate noise control: Insufficient standards for noise control in military equipment.
• Noisy hobbies: Activities like hunting, concerts, gaming, woodworking, sports events, and using loud personal devices.

Conclusion:

Protecting your hearing is important to prevent NIHL. Use properly fitted hearing protection at work and at home.

Noise-induced hearing loss, or NIHL, can happen when people are around loud noises. Key risk factors include the volume of the noise and the exposure time to the noise.

The best way to avoid NIHL is to stay away from noises that exceed 80 – 85 decibels. Experts estimate that noise levels above 105 decibels can damage hearing in just 15 minutes. Noise levels between 85 and 90 decibels can cause permanent hearing loss with extended exposure.

Estimated noise levels of common activities include:

• Normal conversation: 60 decibels
• Busy street: 75 – 85 decibels
• Underground train station: 90 decibels
• Lawn mower: 94 decibels
• Hand drill: 98 decibels
• Motorcycle: 105 decibels
• Car horn: 110 decibels
• Nightclub: 110 decibels
• Ambulance siren: 112 decibels
• Diesel truck accelerating: 114 decibels
• Chainsaw: 115 – 120 decibels
• Cinema movie-action scenes: 118 decibels
• Rock concert: 120 decibels
• Jet engine: 150 decibels, and
• Gun shot: 160 – 170 decibels

There are a variety of mobile applications and hand-held noise meters available that monitor noise levels.

EARS²U is an acronym to explain ways to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.

• Educate yourself about hazardous noise. Become aware of hazardous noise sources that are 85 decibels or above. Examples of hazardous noise are lawn mowers, power tools, motorcycles, chainsaws, and motorboats.
• Adjust the volume of your personal listening devices. Turn down the volume. Take listening breaks if you listen at loud levels. Use personal listening devices that limit the volume output.
• Recognize and reduce the noise hazards. Reduce noise at the source or move away from the noise. Properly maintain equipment. Replace noisy mufflers or place noisy equipment inside an enclosure or behind a barrier.
• Select and effectively use hearing protection devices. Wear ear plugs, noise muffs, or noise attenuating helmets when exposed to hazardous noises on or off duty.
• Seek annual hearing health services from a local audiologist. Symptoms of NIHL include ringing or fullness in ears and/or muffled speech. Get a hearing test as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms.
• Understand the consequences of unprotected exposure to noise. Repeated, unprotected exposure to hazardous noise over time causes permanent inner ear damage.

The Three Foot Rule:

Remember this rule of thumb: If you must raise your voice to be heard by a person two to three feet from you, you’re in a noisy, hazardous environment. t’s a good idea to limit your time in this environment and/or wear appropriate hearing protection.