International Noise Awareness Day 2024 - Understanding the dangers of loud music, sounds and hearing loss

International Noise Awareness Day 2024

Understanding the dangers of loud noise and hearing loss

International Noise Awareness Day 2024,  Wednesday 24th April 2024

#INAD2024 #NoiseHurts #InternationalNoiseAwarenessDay

International Noise Awareness Day is an annual event held on the last Wednesday of April that aims to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of noise pollution on individuals and communities. This global initiative seeks to promote understanding of the health, environmental, and social consequences of excessive noise exposure.

International Noise Awareness Day encourages individuals to take action by promoting quieter environments, implementing noise reduction strategies, and raising awareness about the importance of sound management.

How does loud noise cause hearing loss? 

Loud noise is very harmful to the inner ear or cochlea.  It could be a one-off exposure to severely loud sounds or listening to loud sounds for a long period of time - either way, it can result in hearing loss.  

Loud noise can damage your nerves, membranes, hair cells, or other parts of your ear. This can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss. Learn more about how this happens, so that you can take action to prevent hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in your ears).

What happens to your hearing when you are exposed to loud music?

Have you ever experienced muffled hearing after being exposed to loud music, like a concert?  You might have been left with ringing in your ears and these are the first signs of hearing damage.  The reality is that the music or sound was too loud for your ears to cope with. 

Hearing loss is either temporary or permanent.  Permanent hearing loss is a result of too much damage to vital parts of your ear.  However, generally, the muffled sound and tinnitus symptoms are temporary and will clear up in a few days. 

This is possible because your hair cells mirror the shape of blades of grass and they bend more if the sound you hear is louder than normal.  Soon after they recover and straighten out again.  Although regular exposure to loud music can be detrimental to your hearing long-term.

How does loud noise cause hearing loss?

Your ears are extremely delicate and when sound vibrations reach your eardrum they make your eardrum vibrate.  Within your middle ear, there are three small bones, and as your eardrum vibrates these three bones pick up and amplify the vibration and transmit it to your inner ear.

This is where your cochlea is, which contains fluid and thousands of microscopic hair cells.  In fact, on average, we have around 16,000 hair cells here.  These tiny hair cells are responsible for converting our sounds.  The vibration ripples the fluid in the cochlea and this instigates the movement of your hair cells. 

This, in turn, creates electrical signals which are sent to your auditory nerve and then your brain.  Finally, your brain turns these signals into sounds that you recognise and hear, so you can enjoy sound, speech, and music.

Noise exposure generally damages the hair cells at the bottom of the cochlea which can cause high-frequency hearing loss, which ultimately has a huge impact on our ability to understand conversations.

International Noise Awareness Day 2024

How loud is too loud?  Notes on noise-induced hearing loss

Loud music affects on hearing loss - How can loud noise cause hearing loss? 

If the sounds you hear are louder, the vibrations increase, which makes the fluid move more quickly.  If the hair cells move too fast they can break or bend.  These hair cells cannot repair themselves or grow back.  This means that if they are damaged due to exposure to loud sounds they cannot transmit sound properly.

It is important to remember that it isn't just the hair cells that are at risk from loud music exposure.  A sporadic sound like heavy drumming can create strong vibrations in the ear that can perforate your eardrum.  There is a chance that the perforation will heal by itself, but will not work as successfully as it did before the damage.

In some cases, the bones in the middle ear can start to shake so violently that they can crack or even break.  When this happens, the damage is irreversible and will cause hearing loss.  In addition, and just like damaged hair cells, exposure to loud noise can also damage your auditory nerve.  This nerve transmits important information to your brain.  

Loud music hearing loss statistics and perspectives:

• MP3 volume limit 90dB
• Concerts can reach 100dB
• Nightclubs can reach 95dB
• Sounds over 85 decibels can damage your hearing
• 17% of adults suffer from hearing loss due to excessive exposure to noise

You can roughly have between 30-50% of hair cell damage before it alters your hearing

It will happen slowly, and over time, more and more hair cells will become damaged.  Generally, this process is so gradual that you will not realise it at first, but the more you listen to loud music for a long period of time - the quicker it will cause hearing loss.

We understand that in some listening situations, you may need to turn up the volume of your favourite TV shows, but it is important to remember that as we get older naturally our hair cells die off.  This results in many people needing hearing aids as they get older. 

To put hair cell damage into perspective, if you have few good hair cells left to begin with, the reduction in your hearing will deteriorate quicker.  

International Noise Awareness Day 2024

Listening to music safely is a good place to start

Listening to loud music and hearing loss preventatives

How can you reduce the risk of induced hearing loss?  One of the main preventative for events such as festivals and live concerts is wearing earplugs or ear defenders when you are near a stage and, therefore, close to speakers.  By doing this, you are reducing the loud sounds going into your ear, making it quieter and safer.  Try and stay away from speakers if you can.

Also, if you take regular breaks, where you are away from the stage, it gives your ears a much-needed rest from the exposure to loud noises.  Five minutes every hour is advised and there are now chill-out areas at most gigs and live events for this purpose.

Loud music and headphones hearing loss preventatives

When you are listening to music through your headphones, avoid listening at maximum volume.  If people can hear the music, then the volume is too loud.  For example, if someone is standing around two feet away from you and can still hear the music - you are at serious risk of hearing damage.

A lot of people turn up the volume of their speakers because they can still hear background noise or outside noise.  Invest in noise-cancelling headphones so you can enjoy your music at a safe volume without the distraction of background noise.

Most phones and listening devices have safe volume levels, so if the music or podcast is too loud the volume display turns red.  Don't go over this red threshold - it is there to keep you safe and protect your hearing.

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)

This is a prevalent yet preventable condition that results from prolonged exposure to excessively loud sounds, causing damage to the delicate structures within the inner ear. This form of hearing impairment is a cumulative process, gradually developing over time as the sensory cells in the cochlea become damaged or destroyed.

While temporary exposure to loud noises can lead to temporary hearing disturbances, prolonged or repeated exposure to high-intensity sounds can result in irreversible and permanent damage to the auditory system.

Causes of noise-induced hearing loss

Noise-induced hearing loss can be caused by various sources, including occupational environments with high levels of noise, recreational activities such as attending loud concerts, using firearms, or exposure to loud music through personal listening devices. Individuals working in construction, manufacturing, mining, and entertainment industries are particularly vulnerable to this condition.

The intensity of sound is measured in decibels (dB), and prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 dB can pose a significant risk to hearing. The risk increases exponentially with the intensity and duration of exposure.

The mechanisms of noise-induced hearing loss involve the gradual degradation of the hair cells and auditory nerve fibers in the inner ear. When exposed to loud sounds, the sensitive hair cells become overstimulated, leading to their fatigue and eventual damage. Over time, this damage accumulates, leading to a diminished ability to perceive and process sound signals.

Symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss and how to prevent it

The initial symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss may include difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments, a persistent ringing sensation known as tinnitus, or a sense of fullness in the ears.

Preventive measures play a crucial role in reducing the incidence of noise-induced hearing loss. Implementing engineering controls and using personal protective equipment, such as earplugs or earmuffs, can help mitigate the risks associated with high noise levels.

Education regarding the dangers of excessive noise exposure and the importance of taking precautionary measures is essential in preventing the onset of noise-induced hearing loss.  Regular hearing screenings can aid in the early detection of any impairment and prompt intervention.

Is there a cure for noise-induced hearing loss?

While there is currently no cure for noise-induced hearing loss, various management strategies can help individuals cope with the condition. These may include the use of hearing aids or assistive listening devices to enhance sound perception. Rehabilitation programs, including auditory training and counselling, can also assist in improving communication skills and enhancing the quality of life for individuals affected by this condition.

Noise-induced hearing loss is a preventable yet pervasive condition that can significantly impact an individual's quality of life. By raising awareness, implementing preventive measures, and encouraging regular hearing screenings, the incidence of noise-induced hearing loss can be minimised, thus preserving the precious gift of hearing for generations to come.

In conclusion

Prolonged exposure to loud sound can have a huge impact on your hearing health and well-being.  If you are experiencing muffled hearing for a prolonged duration, you must see a professional - either your GP or local audiologist. 

They will check your ability to hear and whether you are suffering from any hearing loss or permanent hearing damage using a hearing test audiogram.  If needed, they will advise on the right treatment going forward.