The world is a noisy place with cars zooming by, loud music blaring, and sirens buzzing past.
But these small spurts of loud noise are not likely to cause you any noticeable hearing loss.
However, being exposed to loud noises repeatedly over time can lean to noise induced hearing loss.
But this does not have to happen to you, if you protect your hearing.
If you are over 30 like me, think back to when you were younger.
Were you one that would blast the stereo or attend those sound barrier shattering concerts? Did you do it on a regular basis? If so, you may be suffering some hearing loss now, which can gradually become worse over time.
And recent studies have even found that driving in a convertible for long periods of time can also lead to a loss of hearing.
In a recent study of more than 5,000 people in the United States aged 20 to 69, it was found that males were three times as likely to have noise-related hearing loss as women.
It is felt that this may be due to the loud occupations that men have such as construction and also recreational activities that the male gender frequent such as hunting, sporting events, and concerts.
And it is also a fact that men are the dominant gender in landscaping activities such as mowing the lawn, blowing leaves, and cutting down trees.
These factors may all be the reason why men are more prone to noise induced hearing loss.
But how loud is too loud? And how long is too long to listen to loud noises? Well, your best bet is "when in fear, plug your ears".
Meaning if you think it may be too loud and could cause you hearing loss then wear some hearing protection.
Sound is measured in decibels.
The larger the number of decibels, the more likely the noise will damage your hearing.
A safe number is 80 or less.
The sounds that fall into this category are things such as an alarm clock, street traffic, or normal conversation.
But when you get above this level, damage to hearing can occur.
For example, a firecracker is 150 decibels and a practicing band can be around 120.
But noise induced hearing loss is preventable.
Think about the times when you left a loud concert, club, or other event and you could hear the ringing in your ears and muffled sounds.
Of course, after a while your hearing returned to normal.
But what you may not know is that your actions caused a small amount of damage to your hearing.
And if you repeated this again and again, then over time you may suffer a cumulative effect resulting in a noticeable hearing loss.
But if the damage has been done and you have suffered a hearing loss as a result of your occupation or lifestyle, then a hearing aid can help you hear once again.
Now don't start running for the hills just yet.
These are not your grandpa's hearing instruments anymore.
Some are so small that nobody will even notice you are wearing them.
But in the end, the choice is yours.
If you have suffered a hearing loss you can either wear hearing aids and no one will be the wiser, or you can keep asking people to speak up or quit mumbling and then everyone is sure to know about your hearing difficulties.
But these small spurts of loud noise are not likely to cause you any noticeable hearing loss.
However, being exposed to loud noises repeatedly over time can lean to noise induced hearing loss.
But this does not have to happen to you, if you protect your hearing.
If you are over 30 like me, think back to when you were younger.
Were you one that would blast the stereo or attend those sound barrier shattering concerts? Did you do it on a regular basis? If so, you may be suffering some hearing loss now, which can gradually become worse over time.
And recent studies have even found that driving in a convertible for long periods of time can also lead to a loss of hearing.
In a recent study of more than 5,000 people in the United States aged 20 to 69, it was found that males were three times as likely to have noise-related hearing loss as women.
It is felt that this may be due to the loud occupations that men have such as construction and also recreational activities that the male gender frequent such as hunting, sporting events, and concerts.
And it is also a fact that men are the dominant gender in landscaping activities such as mowing the lawn, blowing leaves, and cutting down trees.
These factors may all be the reason why men are more prone to noise induced hearing loss.
But how loud is too loud? And how long is too long to listen to loud noises? Well, your best bet is "when in fear, plug your ears".
Meaning if you think it may be too loud and could cause you hearing loss then wear some hearing protection.
Sound is measured in decibels.
The larger the number of decibels, the more likely the noise will damage your hearing.
A safe number is 80 or less.
The sounds that fall into this category are things such as an alarm clock, street traffic, or normal conversation.
But when you get above this level, damage to hearing can occur.
For example, a firecracker is 150 decibels and a practicing band can be around 120.
But noise induced hearing loss is preventable.
Think about the times when you left a loud concert, club, or other event and you could hear the ringing in your ears and muffled sounds.
Of course, after a while your hearing returned to normal.
But what you may not know is that your actions caused a small amount of damage to your hearing.
And if you repeated this again and again, then over time you may suffer a cumulative effect resulting in a noticeable hearing loss.
But if the damage has been done and you have suffered a hearing loss as a result of your occupation or lifestyle, then a hearing aid can help you hear once again.
Now don't start running for the hills just yet.
These are not your grandpa's hearing instruments anymore.
Some are so small that nobody will even notice you are wearing them.
But in the end, the choice is yours.
If you have suffered a hearing loss you can either wear hearing aids and no one will be the wiser, or you can keep asking people to speak up or quit mumbling and then everyone is sure to know about your hearing difficulties.