Noise Exposure and Hearing Loss

Protect your hearing before it’s too late

Nearly 37% of permanent hearing loss is caused by noise. Try to avoid it, but if you have to be around loud noise you must protect your hearing to avoid long-term damage.

It’s a noisy world

We should all know by now that loud noises, be it music, machinery or shooting, damages our hearing. Nearly 37% of permanent hearing loss is caused by noise. The noisy occupations and recreational pursuits of many people pushes this percentage much higher in our community. Did you know that approximately 75% of farmers have some degree of hearing loss.

What does noise do to our ears?

Noise damage to our ears is caused by two things – the loudness of the noise and the amount of time we are exposed to the noise. For example, you could spend 8 hours in a low level noise factory setting or 3½ minutes using a chainsaw, before you start causing some damage to your ears. If we exceed the loudness and length of time we are exposed to noise we suffer a temporary change in hearing. Some people also notice tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears). If our ears cannot recover from this temporary change, we will suffer a permanent change in hearing.

We have all heeded the skin cancer message: stay out of the sun, or if you must be in it protect yourself – Slip, Slop, Slap! The same principle applies to noise exposure – try to avoid it, but if you have to be around loud noise you must protect your hearing to avoid long-term damage.

How much is too much?

The adjacent picture shows the average noise level for some common daily activities. Noise levels below 85dB has a negligible effect on our hearing.However, levels of 85dB will start to cause damage after 8 hours of exposure.

As the level of noise increases by 3dB the same damage will be done in half the time. Damage will start to occur at the following noise levels:

Noise level (dB)	Safe exposure time
85 dB	~ 8 hours
88 dB	~ 4 hours
91 dB	~ 2 hours
94 dB	~ 1 hour
97 dB	~ 30 minutes
100 dB	~ 15 minutes
103 dB	~ 7.5 minutes
106 dB	~ 3.75 minutes
109 dB	~ 2 minutes
112 dB	~ 1 minute
115 dB	~ 30 seconds
118 dB	~ 15 seconds

As you can see it doesn’t take long for damage
to occur as the noise level increases.

Please remember that when you’re exposed to noise there are often peaks and troughs to the noise level. Although most of the noise might be at a lower level the peaks will significantly reduce your “safe” time in the noise

Which hearing protection is right for you?

2 styles of hearing protection available

Ear muffs

fit over your ears and are available with different levels of attenuation (the amount of noise it will shut out). The noisier the activity the higher the level of attenuation is best for you. Ear muffs are available from safety and most hardware stores. Communication muffs are excellent for shooters as they shut down the noise as soon as a shot goes off. These are preferred by hunters.

Ear plugs

are fitted inside the ear canal. “One size fits all” foam plugs suit many people but they must be fitted properly. Make sure you roll them up as tight as they can go and insert them as far into the ear canal as is comfortable. If a complete seal of the ear canal is not made you could still be damaging your hearing without knowing it!

Alternatively, custom-made ear plugs are available. Impressions of your ear canals are taken by an audiologist and are used to make the plugs. These plugs are typically more comfortable and typically provide higher attenuation than foam plugs as they seal the ear better. Plugs are typically available 10 days following the impression appointment.

The following custom made plug options are available at Helix Hearing:

Sleep plugs
Noise plugs
Swim plugs

Cost: $159.50/pair

Musicians and noise

Musicians often find conventional noise plugs make music and voices sound unclear and unnatural.

Musicians plugs overcome this by using an acoustic filter to equally reduce sounds across all frequencies (flat attenuation) so music and voices are softer, but not distorted. Musicians ear plugs are made specifically to fit your ears from ear impressions. They are smaller than traditional noise plugs and should sit comfortably in the ear canal. Different levels of attenuation are available depending on the instrument you play and/or your surroundings while playing.

These plugs are not just for musicians, but also perfect for concert goers, DJs, nightclub staff & patrons and sound crews. Helix Hearing can expertly assess, fit and provide custom made musician’s plugs. Your audiologist will be able to discuss with you the most appropriate plugs for you based on your individual needs.

Cost: $220/pair