Today’s modern world is much noisier than it used to be. We’re constantly surrounded by sounds – from the gentle hum of the refrigerator to loud construction noises and blaring alarms. But when does sound actually pose a risk to our hearing health?
As hearing care professionals, our goal is to educate and empower you to protect your precious hearing so that you can remain connected to the world around you.
Decibel Levels: Measuring Noise Intensity
Sound is measured in decibels (dB). When sounds exceed and continue at a level of 85 dB, you’re at a greater risk of hearing loss. It’s important to reduce your exposure time to noises at harmful decibels.
For reference, your washing machine produces noises at 50-75 dB, while an electric drill emits sounds at around 95 dB. The popular Apple Airpods can produce a maximum volume of around 100 dB. We are inundated with so many noises in our daily lives that we likely don’t even notice many of them!
How Loud Is Too Loud?
The real problem stems from a combination of loudness and duration. Our inner ears are lined with tiny hairs that trigger our nerve cells to fire when exposed to noise. Those nerve cells produce a waste product that can build up and begin to kill the cells when the noise is loud enough for long enough.
This is why the duration that you’re exposed to loud noises matters. After long periods of noise exposure, your cells can become overloaded with waste and begin to die, even if the sound is only a few decibels above 85 dB. To put this into perspective, going to a concert that lasts two to three hours at 120 dB can cause significant damage to your hearing if you don’t wear proper protection.
Tips for Protecting Your Hearing
Here are some practical ways that you can protect your hearing for years to come:
Wear Hearing Protection: Earplugs are essential when exposed to loud noises, whether at work or during leisure activities. If you work in a loud environment like construction or the music industry, custom hearing protection is a wonderful investment.
Pay Attention to Duration: Follow the 60:60 rule. Listen to music at 60 percent of the maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time. It’s important to give your ears a break!
Opt for Over-the-Ear Headphones: Noise-cancelling over-the-ear headphones can minimize the need for high volume by blocking out background noise. These headphones are generally safer than earbuds.
Turn Down the Volume: Lowering the volume on your TV and electronic devices can reduce your risk of hearing damage.
Dion Hearing Centre: Your Partners in Hearing Health
If you or a loved one is ready to seek professional hearing care, we are here for you. Thousands of local people in Windsor trust Dion Hearing Centre to help them achieve better hearing health.
You can get in touch with us by calling our office at (226) 674-1127. Or click here to request an appointment, and we will be in touch with you very soon. We look forward to hearing from you!