Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Rachel Spencer, Au.D., Doctor of Audiology/Ear Nerd
Sounds can damage your hearing when they are too loud, even for a brief time, or loud and long-lasting. Sometimes the damage is permanent.
Noise exposure is common at many workplaces, but many home—and leisure-based activities can also harm your hearing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 40 million adults ages 20 to 69 have hearing loss from noise, but more than half of them report no on-the-job exposure to loud noise.
People at every stage of life—from young children to older adults—can be at risk for noise-induced hearing loss. Common threats to hearing include sirens, lawn equipment, and listening to loud music, whether live or through headphones or earbuds. In fact, the World Report on Hearing, released in March 2021 by the World Health Organization (WHO), estimates that more than 50 percent of people ages 12 to 35 use smartphones/personal audio devices at volumes that pose a risk to their hearing. Nearly 40% of those who frequently visit entertainment venues are at risk for hearing loss, according to WHO.
Hearing loss from noise can happen instantly—
when a loud sound happens very close to your ears—or it can occur gradually. It can affect one or both ears. The louder the sound, the more damage it can cause to the sensitive structures of your inner ear, and the faster this damage can happen. If your hearing loss occurs gradually (from noise or other causes), you may not recognize it at first. You may have hearing loss if:
• Words sound muffled or difficult to hear or comprehend.
• You have trouble hearing high-pitched sounds.
• You have difficulty hearing in noisy places and social settings, such as restaurants and family gatherings.
• You have trouble understanding speech over the phone.
The good news is that noise-induced hearing loss is preventable. Follow these tips to protect your hearing:
• Lower the volume.
• Move away from the noise when possible.
• Wear hearing protectors, such as earplugs or protective earmuffs.
A routine hearing test can give you a baseline measurement of how you are hearing and is quick, easy, and free at any Decibels Audiology location. Audiology is a rare specialty and testing should only be done by a university-trained licensed audiologist. Schedule your free hearing test and get the peace of mind you need to move on with your life.
Dr. Rachel Spencer
Dr. Rachel Spencer, AuD, joined Decibels Audiology in the summer of 2019. Rachel is a Tennessee native and received her Bachelor of Science in Audiology and Speech Pathology from the University of Tennessee in 2016 (Go Vols!). She graduated with her Doctorate of Audiology from Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Rachel has been loving enjoying the Florida sun and escaping the frigid cold of the northeast. Rachel is passionate about forming positive relationships with patients and improving their overall quality of life through hearing health care.
Decibels Audiology
Call today and schedule your complimentary hearing test and consultation.
Celebrating 12 years as Southwest Florida’s
#1 Hearing Center
239-325-0596
napleshearingaids.com
