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Protecting Your Hearing

You wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. Sunscreen for your skin. But what about your ears? 10% of us are deaf or hard of hearing, many from largely avoidable or preventable causes.

Researchers measure sound levels in decibels (dB). Dinner table conversation might average 40 decibels (dB). Your doorbell might hit 50 dB. But our ears can experience damage from prolonged exposure to high levels of sound when mowing the lawn or using a chain saw (90 dB) or being around jet engines (130 dB). Even Walkmans and the bone rattling sound effects at the movie theater can be culprits. They’re cranking up the volume and the damage is taking its toll.

While today’s music scene may be glamorous, many rock musicians are practically deaf! They (and many of their fans) have lost a portion of their hearing from frequent exposure to rock concert sound levels that are often as high as 110 dB.

Here’s what you can do. If you can’t avoid extreme sonic pressures, cover your ears with your hands or get ear protection. The least expensive is a special foam pellet that is first compressed and then inserted into each ear, where it gently expands, reducing sound levels. A more convenient approach is to wear headphone-like earmuffs that completely surround each ear.