Hearing Damage

Protection4hearing are specialists in the protection of your hearing. Did you know that One in 10 people in the UK has a hearing loss that affects his or her ability to understand normal speech. Excessive noise exposure is the most common cause of hearing loss.

The damage caused by noise, called sensorineural hearing loss or nerve deafness, can be caused by several factors other than noise, but noise-induced hearing loss is different in one important way, it can be prevented. If you work in a noisy environment, go clubbing or are a musician, ride a motorbike, clay pigeon shoot, race motor cars or are a pilot (the list is endless) your hearing is at risk.

Hearing loss or damage occurs as a result of exposure time, it doesn't have to be painful to the ear. Protecting your hearing properly helps avoid hearing problems that can't be remedied.

Protect Yourself If you are employed in a noisy environment where the sound output is 85dB(A) your employer is legally obliged to offer you hearing protection. If the noise output is 90 dB(A)or higher it is compulsory for your employer to not only offer you effective hearing protection but to ensure that it is worn.

In February 2006 the allowable decibels are being further reduced - make sure you know the rules. For legal definitions check out the UK Government's Health and Safety website. www.hse.gov.uk/noise

If you are going into a noisy environment in your own time such as a pub, club or sporting venue where currently the law doesn't legislate, it's up to you to protect yourself. If you're a clubber there are things you can do. Don't stand near to loudspeakers. Give your ears regular breaks away from the source of the music. Wear hearing protection the whole time you are in the club. Limit your visits to club venues.

If you're a musician in a band playing regularly you should protect your hearing, bear in mind that hearing damage is a consequence of time as well as volume so you should wear hearing protection even during rehersals when you might not think you need it.

When should I wear hearing protection?

If you are exposed to excessively noisy environments (80 dB or more), you should wear hearing protectors. You should also wear them when you are using power tools, noisy yard equipment, or firearms. The table below shows how easy it is to exceed maximum exposure levels.

Level of noise in dB(A) Maximum daily exposure time

• 85db - 8 hours
• 91db - 2 hours
• 97db - 30 minutes
• 103db - 7 minutes

Being exposed to noise can also cause fatigue and irritability

• Some noise level examples (estimates)
• Noise level Unprotected Protected
• 60dB Speech Unlimited Unlimited
• 70dB Office Unlimited Unlimited
• 85dB Busy traffic 8 hours Unlimited
• 91dB Pub 2 hours 64 hours
• 100dB Factory 15 minutes 8 hours
• 106dB Nightclub 4 minutes 2 hours
• 115dB Jackhammer 30 seconds 15 minutes
• 140dB Gunshot None 1.5 minutes

QUESTION: What do Pete Townsend of the WHO and Bill Clinton have in common? ANSWER: both have hearing damage caused by loud music