Have you heard?

Have you heard? It is very important to protect your hearing, and everyday sounds are louder than you may think.

• Lengthy or repeated exposure to noise above 85 decibels can damage hearing. How loud is that? To put that into perspective, noise from fireworks can reach up to 155 decibels. Music at a concert can be as loud as 120 decibels. Action scenes in the movie theater have been known to reach 100 decibels. Lawn mowers are around 85 decibels and chain saws can be 115-120 decibels.
• Many hearing losses are caused by damage to the tiny sensory receptors, or hair cells, in the inner ear. The damage can be caused by too much noise, and it is permanent; however, you can take steps to prevent this damage. If you can’t avoid loud sounds, the simplest way to protect your hearing is to wear hearing protection.

Have you heard? Hearing loss isn’t just about missing the conversation. Untreated hearing loss is linked with dementia and an increased risk of falls.

• Untreated hearing loss can affect our brain and cognitive health. It’s a risk factor for dementia and cognitive decline. Hearing loss may also contribute to social isolation and put you at greater risk for depression.
• One study shows that an increase in hearing loss can be associated with a three-fold increase in the risk for falls – ouch!

Have you heard? Hearing loss in children can affect their speech and language development and academic success.

• Education is primarily delivered through auditory input (teachers talk!), and even a mild hearing loss can affect a child’s success in school. Children with untreated hearing loss use more cognitive energy to understand what is being said (or they may appear to not be paying attention because they are missing what was said).
• The American Academy of Audiology recommends that parents concerned with an otherwise unexplained decline in their child’s school performance, or any sign of hearing loss, should take them to an audiologist to have their hearing tested. It can make a big difference–especially over time.

Have you heard? Hearing loss is not associated with age.

• You don’t need to be a particular age or certainly not be considered ‘old’ to get hearing aids. Hearing aids are becoming smaller and less visible. Some even look like Bluetooth headphones! Hearing loss can affect anyone at any age. The sooner hearing loss is detected and treated, the less likely it is to affect your overall health and well-being.

Kaitlyn Ostrowski, AuD, Audiology, Winona Health