Hearing Protection

Loud Sounds

The most common cause of hearing loss is exposure to loud sounds. Loud sounds can damage hair cells inside the ears. Hair cells change sound waves to electrical signals that the brain can interpret as sounds. Louder sounds, which have greater intensity than softer sounds, can damage hair cells more quickly than softer sounds. You can see the relationship between sound intensity, exposure time, and hearing loss in this figure. The intensity of sounds is measured in decibels (dB).

Individuals exposed to loud sound should be vigilant in protecting their hearing through the use of hearing protection devices. Sounds greater than 85dB may cause permanent damage to your hearing.

Damage is immediate only in some cases – in most cases, the damage is very slight initially but gradually deteriorates. If you are exposed to loud sounds an annual hearing test is advised to monitor your hearing.

We supply a variety of hearing protective devices. Ask your Audiologist to find a solution that suits your lifestyle.