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At risk for noise-induced hearing loss??
October was National Protect Your Hearing Month. Mile Bluff audiologists, along with hearing professionals across the nation, took the time to share a few simple tips. Preserve your hearing by: • wearing ear protection when around loud sounds for 30 minutes or more • walking away from loud noise • turning down the volume when listening to the radio, TV, MP3 player, or anything through ear buds and headphones “Noise-induced hearing loss is caused by damage to the microscopic hair cells, or cilia, which are found in the inner ear. Cilia are small sensory cells that convert the sounds we hear into electrical signals that travel to the brain. Once damaged, our hair cells cannot be repaired or grow back, causing permanent hearing loss” explains Mile Bluff’s Audiology Director Ann Raabe. The loudness of sound is measured in units called decibels (dB). Noise-induced hearing loss is caused by prolonged exposure to any loud noise over 85 (dB), such as concerts, sporting events, lawnmowers, fireworks, MP3 players at full volume, and more. A brief exposure to a very intense sound, such as a gun shot near the ear, can also damage your hearing. An environment is too loud and considered dangerous if: • you have to shout over background noise to be heard • it is painful to your ears • it makes your ears ring during and after exposure If you have decreased or “muffled” hearing for several hours after exposure, that is a sign of temporary - and possibly permanent - hearing damage, and should be taken seriously. Hearing loss not only affects your ability to understand speech but it also has a negative impact on your social and emotional well-being. Noise-induced hearing loss can occur gradually, and people don’t often realize they are changing the way they live to make up for the disability. Hearing loss can, and does, happen at any age. If you suspect that you may have hearing loss, make an appointment with an audiologist to determine the type and severity of hearing loss you may have. If you don’t suspect hearing loss, but are looking for ways to protect your ears, Mile Bluff can help with that too. The Audiology Department can provide ear protection solutions for anyone working in loud environments, as well as for those who participate in recreational activities that subject them to loud noise. Whether you’re a musician - including band instructors and students in the school band, dentist, farmer, recreational trap or target shooter, someone who does wood work or uses a chainsaw, or a fan of car races and tractor pulls, you can - and should - protect your hearing. Mile Bluff Medical Center can even make custom-molded earplugs just for you. Call Mile Bluff’s Audiology Department at 608-847-1414 to learn about how to protect your ears or to receive assistance in improving your hearing. Also call for suggestions on the ideal type of ear protection needed for your particular activity. |
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Mile Bluff Medical Center/ 1050 Division St./ Mauston, WI 53948 / 608 847 6161 Mile Bluff Medical Center, 1050 Division Street, Mauston, WI 53948 608 847 6161 or Toll free in WI at 800 252 4377 © 2008 Mile Bluff Medical Center |
