Yvonne Doyle
Ms Doyle won the 2017 'Irish Audiologist of the Year. The competition is organised by leading hearing aid battery manufacturer Rayovac, a division of Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc., who this year welcomed a new sponsor, The European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (EFHOH), on board, joining longstanding partners Audio Infos, and the European Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (EHIMA).
Find Out More About Yvonne
Hearing loss is a common problem and is often a result of damage to the ears. Loud music can have a very damaging effect on your ears, and if you frequent clubs, gigs and festivals, or use personal music players at a loud volume, you could be putting yourself at risk of hearing loss in the future.
There are many different types of hearing loss, and the extent to which damage to the ears occurs will depend upon how long you are exposed to loud music and how susceptible you are. Some people have a higher tolerance to loud noises than other, but hearing problems ranging from permanent tinnitus (ringing in the ears) to premature hearing loss can result from exposure to loud music.
How Loud Does Music Have To Be To Damage My Ears?
Noises that are at or above 85 dB (decibels) can damage your hearing. As an example, an ordinary spoken conversation takes place at around 60 decibels, and a pneumatic drill registers at 100dB. The noise level in a nightclub typically averages at around 110dB, and a rock concert is usually around 115dB.
How Can I Protect My Ears Against Hearing Loss?
1. Minimize time in noisy environments. The higher the noise level, the shorter the length of time that you can listen to it safely. If you are in a nightclub where the music is played at 100dB, a normal level in such environments, your ears are at risk of damage after just 10-15 minutes of exposure.
2. Be aware of noise damage. If noise is hurting your ears, leave the situation immediately and allow your hearing to recover. If you have to raise your voice to speak with someone two metres away from you, you are at risk of sustaining damage to your hearing.
3. Use protection. Ear defenders are a great way to minimize the effects of loud music on your ears, and are especially useful for children, whose sensitive hearing systems will be at even greater risk. If you are taking children to a music festival or concert, ensure that they are protected, and consider using such devices yourself to minimize risks to your own ears, too.
4. Be alert to the dangers. If you have been exposed to loud music, you may experience ringing in your ears that will usually last for up to 24 hours. If you have not taken steps to minimize damage to your hearing, you may find that continued exposure to loud music results in permanent tinnitus, which can be extremely debilitating.
Book a Hearing Test in Ireland
If you are worried that your hearing has been damaged by exposure to loud noises, or if you are experiencing any hearing loss or tinnitus, a free hearing test will help to discover the extent of the problem and find a solution that works for you.
Here at Hidden Hearing, our friendly staff members are experts on hearing loss and hearing aids, so contact us today to discuss how we can help.
