How Loud is Too Loud?
Both the amount of noise and the length of time you are exposed to it determine its potential to damage your hearing. Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB). The higher the decibel level the louder the noise.
Standards set by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) indicate that continued exposure of unprotected ears to noise over 90 dB will cause a gradual hearing loss in a significant number of individuals. Louder noises will accelerate this damage. The allowed exposure time decreases by ONE - HALF for each 5 dB increase in the average noise level.
Types of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is defined as either conductive (often responsive to medical or surgical treatment) or sensorineural (from disease or damage in the cochlea - inner ear - or along the nerve pathway from the inner ear to the brain).28 million people in the United States are affected by hearing loss in one or both ears. With the incidence of noise induced hearing loss occurring at younger and younger ages, it is important to understand how a noise induced hearing loss occurs, and what you can do to prevent it.
