Noise is a constant part of life, whether it’s your morning coffee brewing or a concert you’ve waited months to attend. But not all sounds are created equal, especially when it comes to your hearing health. Understanding which sounds could put your ears at risk is the first step toward protecting them.
Why Volume Matters
Sound goes through a long journey from its source to your brain. One crucial step of this journey lies in the inner ear. Inside, you’ll find the cochlea, a delicate, fluid-filled structure lined with thousands of microscopic hair cells. These tiny cells convert sound vibrations into electrical signals, which are then sent to your brain which recognizes them as the sounds you hear every day.
However, these hair cells don’t regenerate. If enough of them die, permanent hearing loss can arise. We measure the volume of sound in decibels. The threshold for hearing loss is prolonged exposure to noise above 85 dB or short exposure to noise above 120 dB.
What Does That Mean in Real Life?
Here’s how some familiar sounds measure up:
- Quiet residential area: 40 dB
- Hair dryer: 60-95 dB
- Air conditioner: 50-75 dB
- Doorbell: 80 dB
- Heavy traffic: 85 dB
- Electric drill: 95 dB
- Ambulance siren: 120 dB
- Concert: 120 dB
Small Changes To Protect Hearing
While you may not be able to avoid every noise, there are a few simple habits to protect your ears:
- Use hearing protection in loud environments
- Take breaks from noisy settings to give your ears time to recover
- Turn the volume down on personal audio devices, especially if using earbuds or headphones
- Schedule hearing checks regularly, especially if you notice ringing in your ears or difficulty following conversations
Take the First Step Toward Better Hearing
If you’re concerned about how your environment may affect your hearing, don’t wait for the signs of damage to appear. Regular hearing tests can help you catch issues early and take action before hearing loss starts negatively affecting your life.
For more information on protecting your hearing or to schedule a test with one of our specialists, contact Augusta – Aiken ENT & Allergy today.