Hearing loss caused by exposure to loud sound is preventable. Inexpensive foam earplugs are an effective solution. They can reduce continuous or intermittent unsafe loud noise to safe levels.
Permanent hearing loss (and tinnitus) from loud noise is not an adult problem only. The CDC reports that
- 12.5% of children and teens (5.2 million) have permanent hearing loss from loud noise.
- 17% of adults aged 20–69 years (26 million) have permanent hearing loss from loud noise.
Why it matters
Untreated adult hearing loss harms you in various ways. The Big Four are —
- Relationships struggle — personal and professional — because of strained communication.
- Social isolation creates intense loneliness, leading to depression, excessive worry, and anxiety.
- Falling is riskier — mild hearing loss triples the risk.
- Higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia: People with mild, moderate, and severe hearing loss have a twofold, threefold, and fivefold increased risk.
For children and teens, hearing is vital for speech and language development and learning.
Studies indicate that without proper intervention, children with mild to moderate hearing loss, on average, do not perform as well in school as children with no hearing loss. This gap in academic achievement widens as students progress through school. —CDC
What to do
Children, teens, and adults can prevent further noise-induced hearing loss by doing the following:
- Use hearing protection when it is not possible to avoid loud noise or reduce the sound level to a safe level (less than 80 decibels).
Try foam earplugs
You’ll find these at drugstores and Amazon. To gain the most benefit, follow these CDC instructions:
- Wash your hands.
- Roll the earplug into a thin tube.
- With your left hand, pull the top of your right ear up and back, then use your right hand to place the rolled-up earplug in the ear canal.
- Hold the earplug in place with a finger until it expands.
- Switch sides, and follow steps two through four for the opposite ear.
Other practical actions
- Avoid or limit exposure to loud sounds
- Lower the volume of what you’re listening to
- Move away from the source of loud sounds
In Part 2
I'll review an alternative to foam earplugs that is also inexpensive, effective, and offer some additional benefits.
Need help with your hearing?
Schedule a free, 15-minute hearing screening performed by an audiologist. It’s easy to find out if you have hearing loss. Don’t guess. Find out.
If you have hearing loss, your audiologist will explain
- How much hearing you’ve lost
- Whether your hearing needs treatment now or later
- How hearing aids mitigate the risks of social isolation, falling, faster cognitive decline, and dementia.
Crest Hill: 630-633-5060 | Palos Hills: 708-599-9500
