New Research Clarifies the Impact of Noise
By W. Stephen Seipp, Au.D.
We've all heard the term by now–"age-induced or age-related hearing loss",which many of us have just accepted as a part of aging. For years, even medical practitioners have assumed that hearing loss was just a part of the aging process. They did not have enough clinical research to prove otherwise despite thinking–even 15 years ago–that there might be a link between exposure to a noisy society and the increasing number of hearing loss cases being reported. New research, however, is shedding new light on hearing loss.
According to research sited by the Deafness Research Foundation, at least 70% of what has been traditionally diagnosed as "age-related hearing loss" is, in fact, due to a lifetime of toxic noise exposure. With hearing loss affecting more than 30 million Americans, and that number rising daily, this is no small epidemic that has far-reaching implications for each of us–whether we're 2 or 102.
As a matter of fact, California researchers documented a 300% rise in the presence of permanent noise-induced hearing loss in second graders over a 10-year period, and a 500% increase among eighth graders. At this rate, permanent high frequency hearing loss will be present in more than 90% of the eighth grade population by 2012! Given this epidemic rise, your children and grandchildren may not even make it to "senior" status before they have a hearing loss without adequate knowledge and prevention.
To put this problem in perspective, it is projected that by 2030 virtually every American over the age of 50 will have enough permanent hearing loss to require hearing aids to communicate effectively. Another portion of the population will benefit from other "assistive listening devices," such as phone or television amplifiers, and visual alarms (lights and vibration for smoke alarms, for instance).
Since you may already be in the 50+ population and statistically may have some degree of hearing loss already, a thorough examination by a doctor of audiology is recommended so you can learn about treatment options, which may or may not include hearing aids. This is particularly important since hearing loss has been linked to increased susceptibility to many health problems,such as diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, depressions and anxiety, to name a few.
In addition, severe hearing loss complicates the situation for medical professionals, since patients with an untreated hearing loss often mis-hear what the doctor or nurse instructs them to do, they take the wrong doses of medicine, or even answer important questions incorrectly because of not hearing well.
With that said, suppose you don't have any hearing loss. What can you do for yourself and your loved ones to prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
- 1. Increase your awareness of noise and avoid prolonged exposure to loud noise–anything above 80 decibels.
- 2. If you cannot avoid exposure to noise, wear adequate hearing protection that is available from a doctor of audiology. While over-the-counter ear muffs and ear plugs provide some protection, they are usually not adequate with prolonged exposure or exposure to particularly loud sounds.
- 3. Visit a doctor of audiology who offers a hearing-loss prevention program for yourself and your family.
- 4. Become noise-conscious–paying special attention to head-phone stereos and toys that make noises (and are often held close to a child's head), in addition to the obvious,such as power tools, pressure washers, lawn mowers and even blenders.
According to William W. Clark,researcher at Central Institute for the Deaf, "Even living in total quiet, there are changes in the ear that accompany aging. However, these changes are not sufficient to cause a hearing loss. In a noisy environment, in contrast, the process is accelerated, with more extensive anatomical degeneration and more accompanying hearing loss."
He adds that genetics, childhood illnesses, drugs taken earlier in life, fat content of diet, cardiovascular health, infections of the ear and bony growth in the middle ear are all variables that can exacerbate the negative impact of noise on hearing. While many of these factors cannot be controlled as easily as others, noise exposure is one that can be controlled–one about which we all need to increase consciousness so we can all more fully enjoy the longer lives we will likely live.
