Decibel Levels Explained: How to Prevent Hearing Damage

Not all hearing loss is the same. Sometimes, it occurs for natural reasons. Other times, we’ve been exposed to loud noises for too long.

Let’s talk about decibel levels and how they can cause hearing loss. We’ll also learn what you can do to protect yourself in loud environments.

How is Sound Measured?

Decibels measure the loudness of a sound. The higher the decibel number, the louder the sound.

Think about the difference between a gentle whisper and a loud train horn. A whisper will have a lower decibel number. The train horn’s decibel number will be higher.

We are exposed to different decibel levels every day. A gentle breeze is a soft sound with a low decibel level, around 20 decibels. A loud, live concert would be louder, up to 100 decibels.

Understanding safe decibel levels will help you understand when sounds could potentially cause hearing damage.

How Loud Is Too Loud?

Safe sound levels are usually below 70 decibels. This could include things like talking with a friend or the hum of a working refrigerator.

Your hearing is at risk when the sound level goes above 85 decibels. To understand how loud that is, consider the sounds of busy traffic, loud music, or a motorcycle engine. It’s okay to listen to these loud noises momentarily, but listening too long could result in hearing loss.

One way to tell if a sound is too loud in your space is if you have to shout to be heard by someone standing close to you. Another sign is if your ears start to ring. If you experience either of these things, take it as a sign to move somewhere with a safe decibel level or get protection for your ears if you plan on staying in the same place.

What is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?

Noise-induced hearing loss occurs when our ears are exposed to loud noises too often or for too long. It can make it hard to hear what other people say or enjoy activities such as listening to music or watching television.

When loud sounds enter our ears, they damage cells in our ears that help our hearing. Once those small cells are damaged, they don’t grow back. That’s why it’s so important to take the steps to protect yourself from unnecessary loud noises.

Have you ever had trouble hearing after attending a loud concert or being near a construction zone? That’s because the decibel levels of the sound in those places were too high. Staying aware of your situations and surroundings can help keep your hearing healthy and safe.

How to Protect Your Hearing in Loud Environments

If you really love loud places, like concerts, bowling alleys, or your woodworking shop, you don’t have to avoid them altogether. There are things you can do to keep your ears safe, even when the decibel levels are high.

If you want to go somewhere you know will be loud, take some of these steps to protect yourself and your hearing:

• Wear ear protection: If you’re going to a concert or using loud tools, always wear earplugs or earmuffs. They will help block out the loudest sounds and keep your ears safe.
• Lower the volume: When you can control it, lower the volume. This includes activities like watching television or listening to music. If you can’t hear someone talking next to you, it’s probably too loud.
• Take noise breaks: Step away from the noise for a while if it’s too loud. Removing yourself from the loud noises and finding a calm, quiet space can help you feel better.

These steps may seem simple, but they can help you enjoy your favorite sounds and places without worrying about damaging your hearing.

Why are Regular Hearing Checkups Important?

Just like visiting the doctor for regular checkups, it’s important to check your hearing regularly, too. This will help make sure that your ears are healthy and not at risk for any permanent hearing loss.

Getting regular checkups will also help catch any hearing changes early. If you are showing signs of hearing loss, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist.

During your checkup, you will sit in a room where a special machine plays certain sounds. Whenever you hear the sound, you press a button on the machine. This will tell your audiologist or hearing instruments specialist  what decibels you can hear and which ones you can’t. They will then use a decibel comparison chart to determine if your hearing is healthy or at risk of loss.

What Tools Can Aid Those with Hearing Loss?

If your hearing care professional notices signs of hearing loss, they can offer tips and tools to help you protect your hearing health and avoid any further loss.

A caption phone makes life easier for those with hearing loss. This special phone is easy to use and was designed especially for seniors.

It works like any other phone, except it has a screen attached to the side of it. Near real-time captions appear on the screen as the caller on the other end speaks. This way, you can read whatever they’re saying.

Plus, thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), qualified U.S. residents with a level of hearing loss that requires captions to use the phone could qualify to receive a caption phone at no cost.

Never miss another word of an important phone call. Contact ClearCaptions to check your eligibility today.