Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is more common than you might think. Interestingly, due to recreational and environmental noise, hearing loss is occurring at younger and younger ages. Take a look at the noise levels you might be exposed to on a daily base.

Sound levels of common noises

Decibels

30
60
80

85 to 90
90
95 to 105
110

120
140 (pain threshold)
165
180

Noise source
Safe range

Whisper
Normal conversation
Heavy traffic, garbage disposal

Risk range

Motorcycle, snowmobile, lawn mower
Belt sander, tractor
Hand drill, bulldozer, impact wrench
Chain saw, jack hammer

Injury range

Ambulance siren
Jet engine at takeoff
Shotgun blast
Rocket launch

Maximum sound exposure durations
Below are the maximum noise levels on the job to which you should be exposed without hearing protection — and for how long.

Maximum job-noise exposure allowed by law

Sound level, decibels

90
92
95
97
100
102
105
110
115

Duration, daily

8 hours
6 hours
4 hours
3 hours
2 hours
1.5 hours
1 hour
30 minutes
15 minutes

Symptoms of Hearing Loss

# 1. People seem to be mumbling.

# 2. You have to strain to hear when someone talks or whispers.

# 3. You need to watch a speaker’s lips more closely to follow the conversation.

# 4. You find it hard to hear clearly on the telephone.

# 5. It’s hard to hear in noisy environments like a restaurant or a car.

# 6. Family, friends, or colleagues mention that they often have to repeat themselves.

Sources: Sound Advice, Issue 5, Vol.1

Demographics:

28 million Americans are hearing-impaired, and an estimated 500 million experience hearing loss worldwide.
In the U.S., one out of twelve 30-year-olds is already hearing-impaired and one in eight 50-year-olds suffer from hearing loss.
After President Bill Clinton was fitted for hearing instruments, more than 1 million other baby boomers identified themselves as experiencing hearing loss.
There are more baby boomers aged 45-64 with a hearing loss (10 million) than there are people over the age of 65 with a hearing loss (9 million).
More than a third of all hearing loss is attributed to noise: loud music, loud workplaces, loud recreational equipment.
Thanks to the above, we’re all losing our hearing at a younger age than we were 30 years ago.
Of the 10 million Americans aged 45 to 64 who have a hearing loss, 6 out of 7 do not yet benefit from wearing hearing instruments.

Hearing Loss Facts:

Hearing loss is second only to arthritis as the most common issue for older adults.
Only about 10% of hearing losses are helped by surgery or other medical treatment.
90% of hearing losses can be treated with the use of hearing instruments.
Only 16% of physicians routinely screen for hearing loss.

90% of hearing losses can be treated with the use of hearing aids.