When Sound is Noise That Can Impair Hearing

Without so much realizing it, many of us put up with excessively high levels of sounds every single day. As we are, for instance, passing by a road that's being repaired, we are jarred by the rattling sound of a jackhammer but don't mind it. We're stuck in a heavy traffic and, to keep our mind off it, crank up the volume of our car stereo. And what about the sounds created by our electric appliances in the kitchen, the honking of cars on busy streets, or the loud whirring sound from our neighbor's lawn mower? These are sounds of high level - and they are noise. Noise can damage our hearing. In some cases, it can even have an adverse effect on people's behavior.

There are sounds we are exposed to every day that really do not pose any risk or danger to our hearing sense. Examples are the sound from a normal conversation or speech, from a clicking typewriter atop an office desk, or from humming engines of cars caught in the city traffic. Our hearing sense can tolerate much of these sounds.

But the high-level sounds are those that we should be wary of. There is a certain limit at which our exposure to these kinds of sounds remain safe, according to numerous studies made: not more than 4 minutes to a sound from a working jackhammer; not more than 2 hours to sounds from a chain saw or snowmobile; and not more than 8 hours to a sound from a lawn mower. People who love to be in rock concerts are those that are in danger the most of having an impaired hearing. This is because the period within which one is exposed to sounds from a rock concert to avoid any damage to hearing should not be more than 15 minutes; and we know that a rock concert can last for an hour or more.

The degree of loudness of a sound is measured according to the International Scientific unit known as decibel. This unit is used to express the relative degree of strength or force of a sound in a logarithmic scale. The scale runs from zero (for sounds that are least perceptible to human hearing) to 130, the average pain level. Exposure to sounds above 130 decibels causes immediate pain and can injure ears instantly. Sounds from jet engines are measured at 140 decibels; therefore, those who work at airport terminals (particularly the ground handling crew) would do well to have sufficient ear protection all the time while working.

Some studies have actually set the maximum level of 85 decibels of continuous noise at which we can be exposed to for a period not exceeding 8 hours. Any prolonged exposure will require the necessary ear protection. Earplugs made of wax or silicone are ideal for this purpose. And so is cotton stuffed in ears.

The most important thing is that we should realize that we are always exposed to the many sources of noise in our daily life. It is therefore necessary that we exert effort in at least minimizing our exposure to these hazardous levels of sounds to protect our hearing from being impaired permanently. [Read the Original Article]