Hearing Loss In Adelaide

Noises And How It Can Impact Hearing Loss 

Traffic noise, radios on loud, power tools buzzing: regardless of where you work or live, the chances are that you are exposed to some degree of noise pollution, which can damage your hearing over time. Educate yourself about the risks of noise and learn how to protect your hearing.

How we hear

The outer ear collects the sound and transmits to the middle ear via the ear canal, where the sound is changed into vibrations. The vibrations are then transferred to the inner ear and into the cochlea. The cochlea is snail-shaped and filled with fluid and many small hair cells. As the sound vibrations travel through the cochlea, they cause the fluid to bend these tiny hair cells. As the hair cells bend, nerve impulses are passed through the auditory nerve to the brain where they are interpreted as sound.

Damage and how to prevent it

These tiny hair cells can be damaged through constant exposure to loud noise, resulting in a sensorineural hearing loss. Unfortunately once damaged, the small hair cells cannot be repaired. However, a noise-induced hearing loss is preventable. The crucial step to take is to avoid constant exposure to noise 90dB and louder. If you can't do this, wear airtight hearing protection during exposure and take regular breaks.

Sounds that can hurt

Know the warning signs

Warning signs that you’re being exposed, even temporarily, to excessive noise levels include:

• The need to ask others to speak louder so that you can hear them
• Ringing or bussing in your ears (tinnitus)
• Reduced hearing
• If you are aware any of these symptoms, talk to your hearing healthcare professional  now and take the correct protective measures.

Treating hearing loss

Noise-induced hearing loss cannot be repaired, but it is preventable. If you've already suffered a hearing loss, talk to your hearing healthcare professional about using hearing aids. Happily, more than 90% of people with hearing loss can be assisted  with the use of hearing aids.