Today, noise problems in the workplace can still cause deafness in developing countries, or in those without regulations. However, Europe, the USA and Australia have stringent rules about just how much noise workers can be exposed to to protect them from hearing damage.
Agreed regulations have set the danger level for noise at 85 decibels. Exposure to sound that is louder than this is known to cause permanent hearing damage. The louder the sound, the less time required to cause problems. Being close to a very loud explosion can instantly damage hearing. Health and Safety experts advise people should not be exposed to noise over 105 decibels for longer than 2 minutes at a time.
Many conditions of hearing impairment or discomfort can be avoided by employing a few basic hygiene guidelines and some common sense.
Damage to your ears caused by water can be avoided or minimised by remembering a few simple rules. Try to avoid unnecessary submersion under water such as when bathing, showering or swimming. If you are a keen traveller, remember to suck a boiled sweet when tasking off or landing to help open the Eustachian in your ear, therefore helping to prevent the feeling of ‘popping’ and any associated discomfort. This can even prevent perforation of the eardrum as it tries to adjust to changes in pressure.
If you have had, or are currently suffering, from a head cold before flying, try taking some decongestant medication for a few days leading up to the flight as this will also help to clear and unblock the Eustachian tube.It cannot be stressed enough that ears are, on the whole, self- cleaning and do not require any assistance in removing wax. It is old fashioned practice to use a cotton bud, hair grip or any other device to clean the inside of your ears. Wax should be naturally excreted from your ears, but if you feel you have a build-up of wax, see your GP in order to have this officially diagnosed, treated and to determine any underlying cause for the build-up.
