The most common cause of hearing loss is noise exposure—but despite its prevalence, many people don’t take the necessary precautions to keep their hearing intact. The following guide describes a few everyday noises that can cause temporary or permanent hearing impairments and what you can do to protect your ears going forward. 

What Sounds Can Damage Your Hearing? 

The human ear can safely tolerate up to 85 dB—any more than that, and you might experience temporary or permanent hearing loss, especially with repeated or extended exposure. To understand how loud 85 dB is, here are some everyday noises that can provide context: 

• Soft whisper (30 dB) 
• Normal conversation (60 dB) 
• Hairdryer (95 dB) 
• Leaf blower, music concert, and chainsaw (115 dB) 
• Ambulance (125 dB) 
• 12-gauge shotgun (165 dB)  

The severity of hearing loss can depend on the duration of the sound, how close it is in relation to your eardrum, and the frequency of exposure. It’s possible to lose hearing from a single event, like a firecracker, but more often, hearing loss occurs gradually, like if a person works in a loud factory or listens to loud music every day on their commute.  

Other factors, like genetics and allergies, can also affect a person’s hearing abilities and may make some individuals predisposed to hearing loss.  

How Can You Protect Your Ears? 

Sometimes, it’s hard to tell if a crowded restaurant is too loud, especially if you’re accustomed to that kind of environment. In situations like this one, use a sound level meter (SLM) to measure the ambient noises around you. SLMs are available as cellphone applications, so it’s easy to screen your surroundings for safe noise levels.  

You can also prevent damage by wearing earplugs. High-fidelity ones have features that allow the wearer to hear music and conversations around them without putting their safety at risk. You can visit an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist to get custom earplugs tailored to your preferences and anatomy.  

By being proactive, you can protect your hearing while still enjoying the activities you love—no matter how loud. Heartland Better Hearing Inc in Elizabethtown, KY, will help you decide on a protective device or hearing aid that will allow you to listen to your surroundings comfortably. To learn more about how to prevent hearing loss, visit their website; to schedule an appointment, call (270) 735-9352 today.