A recent study by the National Acoustic Laboratories at Macquarie University found that one in 10 Australians is exposing themselves to harmful noise levels with their personal listening devices (including smartphones and tablets).
Those at risk are often listening through the earphones included with their devices, at volumes exceeding the noise limit allowed in workplaces — that’s 85 decibels over 8 hours. Higher risk groups were more likely to be younger, and include slightly more females
Study participants at the highest risk listened at 84% of their device’s maximum volume, on average. Those at lowest risk listened at an average of 49%.
What exactly is safe listening?
The human ear is able to detect a wide range of sounds, from very soft to extremely loud. The intensity of sound is measured in decibel (dB), this generally ranges from -20 dB (extremely soft) to 150 dB (extremely loud) for sounds one might typically be exposed to in their life. To paint the picture clearly, a whisper is around 30 dB, a normal conversation is around 60 dB, a hair drier or a car horn 5 meters away around 100 dB and a firecracker or firearm approximately 150 dB.
Safe listening levels depend on the loudness of the of the sound and the duration in which an individual is exposed to the loud sound for. Loudness level and duration of exposure are interrelated. Permissible levels of daily exposure to noise have been defined – specifically for occupational settings, however, these have been extrapolated for the application of recreational settings.
The highest safe noise exposure level is considered to be 85 dB for a maximum of 8 hours. Therefore, listening to music with an intensity of 100 dB for 15 minutes may represent the same noise levels experienced by an industrial worker at 85 dB for 8 hours a day. The table below depicts the daily permissible noise level exposure.
The good news is that noise-induced hearing loss is easily prevented steps.
Sources of noise to look out for.
It is important to note that adolescents and adults are not the only individuals that are exposed to louder sounds. The danger of children being exposed to noise is probably underestimated. Common children toys such as toy phones, guns and rattles are capable of generating unsafe noise levels ranging from 80 dB to 140 dB. What further aggravates the problem is that children have a tendency of placing these loud toys closer to their ears – which increases the intensity as well as the likelihood of damage to the ear. So, when you do some holiday shopping for your children, be on the lookout for toys that may generate unsafe noise levels.
Below we have listed some examples of recreational activities and the intensity of sound they may expose you and your loved ones to.
Ways to protect yourself from noise induced hearing loss
Hearing loss as a result of exposure to noise is irreversible, and effective treatment (i.e. hearing aids) is limited and costly. Prevention of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is paramount as this type of loss is completely avoidable. Prevention strategies can be employed to ensure that you protect your hearing and the hearing of those you love.
Yes, at times, noise may be perceived as enjoyable, for example, the noise of a concert show. Although, a concert can be equally enjoyable with safe listening noise/levels.
Knowing which loud sound you are exposed to and which one may potentially cause harm to your hearing is the first step in taking action.
Basic practical strategies below to save your hearing.
1. Stay away from noise.
We all find ourselves in noisy environments at time. During this time of the year, there may be a lot of noisy areas and it is better to stay as far away as possible from the speaker/source emitting the noise. Rule of thumb: If you have to raise your voice in order for the next person to hear you – the noise in your environment is too loud. Children do not always know when to move away from noise sources. Noise can be generated by the toys that they have, which may damage their hearing. Take caution when purchasing toys for your children this holidays, ensure that the toys do not produce loud sounds. There are always toys that have a softer sound than some. Avoid buying noisy toys.
2. Keep the volume down.
The recommended safe volume level is less than 85 dB. If you struggle to hear and understand someone at arm’s length – then the sound in your environment may be too loud. A small reduction in the volume of the source may allow you to communicate effectively with another individual and will offer significant protection for your ears.
3. Use noise protection devices/earplugs.
When attending concerts, clubs and visit noisy environments, use noise protection devices such as earplugs. The use of hearing protection devices helps to greatly avoid damage to hearing. One can use earplugs, which are small spongy devices inserted into the ear canal or earmuffs which are placed around the ears. Both these protection devices can easily be bought at a pharmacy – without a prescription. Such devices range from ones that block out about 5 dB to those that block out 45 dB.
4. Limit time spent engaging with loud sound activities.
Basically, the time spent in a noisy environment should be limited. If you are attending a party over this festive season, and can’t reduce the volume of the noise, small listening breaks can help reduce exposure. Move away from the noise from time to time – to have chats with other people.
If your christmas present are new headsets/earphones or an MP3 player and can’t get over listening to the music, you can do so safely. Limiting earphones/headphones use to less than an hour a day could help greatly.
5. Regular hearing check-ups.
Have a hearing check-up before and after the festive season. Having a hearing assessment can help identify early onset of loss before it becomes noticeable thus affecting one’s quality of life. Knowing your hearing status will motivate you to ensure that the hearing level stays that way.
Furthermore, research has found that individuals who have an existing hearing loss are more susceptible to NIHL than others. So, know your hearing status.
The Speech Perception Test by Connect Hearing is a good way to keep track of your hearing levels. It’s free online and only takes about 10 minutes. Use it to create a baseline and take it regularly to identify any damage early on.
6. Consult with your occupational health and safety officer if you’re concerned about unsafe noise levels in your workplace.
7. Practice safe ear hygiene.
Don’t try to self clean by poking things in ears, talk to your GP or hearing care provider about safe removal of ear wax.
8. Sudden hearing loss.
If your hearing changes very suddenly, treat it as a emergency. In many many cases Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL) can be reversed with immediate medical intervention
Want more information? Visit It’s A Noisy Planet, a website run by the American National Institutes of Health.
Talking Hearing Loss 