Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) can be dif cult to detect early on as it often happens gradually. In some cases, the damage to our ears from noise exposure is temporary. However, left unaddressed, noise exposure can lead to more serious and permanent hearing loss.
Signs of NIHL Include:
- Ringing in your ears, known as tinnitus
- Dif culty understanding someone who is talking from 3 feet away
- Dif culty understanding speech in background noise
- Speech sounding muf ed after leaving a noisy area
- A feeling of pain or fullness in your ears
Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Most noise-induced hearing loss is preventable. By taking precautions to minimize your exposure to loud noise, you can signi cantly reduce your risk
- Be aware of sources of harmful noise
- Wear ear protection when exposed to harmful noise
- Distance yourself from the source of the noise
- Reduce the volume and length of time spent using personal listening devices
- Give your ears a break in quiet spaces whenever possible
Source: Speech-Language & Audiology Canada, 2019.
Website: https://speechandhearing.ca/