Does noise cause hearing loss?
Yes. Chances are you have damaged your ears if you have ever had any of the following:
- a 1-time exposure to extremely loud noise
- repeated or long exposure to loud noise
- extended exposure to moderate noise
Noise-induced hearing loss happens gradually and without pain. It is also permanent.
How does the noise cause hearing loss?
Inside the inner ear is a chamber. This chamber holds thousands of tiny hair cells. These hair cells signal the auditory (hearing) nerve to send impulses to the brain. When you are exposed to loud or prolonged noise, the hair cells become damaged. When the hair cells are damaged, sound is not transmitted properly. Eventually, so many hair cells are damaged that a clinical hearing loss occurs.
Are some people more likely to have hearing loss caused by noise?
Yes. Some types of chemotherapy and radiation increase your risk of noise-induced hearing loss. You should be especially careful to protect yourself from loud noise if you have had these treatments.
Am I exposed to damaging noise?
The following are some examples of activities that can be hazardous to your hearing.
| Appliances | Occupations | Recreatioin |
|---|---|---|
| hair dryers | firefighters | hunting |
| vacuum cleaners | construction workers | boaring or water-skiing |
| lawn mowers | farmers | motorcycling or four-wheeling |
| yard trimmers or leaf blowers | cab, truck, and bus drivers | stereo headphones |
What is a dangerous noise level?
The ability of noise to damage your hearing depends on 2 things:
- The amount (loudness) of the noise
- The length of time you are exposed to the noise
Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB). The higher the decibel level, the louder the noise. Sounds louder than 80 decibels are considered potentially hazardous. The noise chart below gives an idea of average decibel levels for everyday sounds around you.
| Painful | Extremely loud | Very loud | Moderate | Faint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 140 dB firearm |
110 dB rock music |
80 dB alarm clock |
50 dB moderate rainfall |
30 dB whisper |
| 130 dB jackhammer |
100 dB chainsaw |
70 dB hair dryer, vacuum cleaner |
40 dB quiet room |
|
| 120 dB jet plane |
90 dB lawnmower |
6- dB dishwasher |
What are warning signs that noises around me are too loud?
- You have to raise your voice to be heard.
- You cannot hear someone 2 feet away from you.
- Speech around you sounds muffled after you leave a noisy area.
- You have pain or ringing in your ears after exposure to noise.
What can I do to protect myself?
First, avoid loud noise whenever possible. If you cannot avoid exposure to noise, do the following:
- Wear hearing protectors: ear plugs (available in Rehabilitation Services) or earmuffs (available at sporting goods stores). Using cotton in your ears does not work and may be dangerous. When using hearing protectors, you can still hear and understand voices and other sounds with ease.
- Limit periods of exposure to noise. For example, if you are at a loud concert, go to a quieter area for a while to give your ears a break.
- Be aware of the noise in your environment, and take control of it when you can.
If you have questions about noise and hearing loss, call Rehabilitation Services at 595-3621. If you are inside the hospital, dial 3621. If you are outside the Memphis area, call toll-free 1-866-2ST-JUDE (1-866-278-5833), extension 3621.
This document is not intended to take the place of the care and attention of your personal physician or other professional medical services. Our aim is to promote active participation in your care and treatment by providing information and education. Questions about individual health concerns or specific treatment options should be discussed with your physician.
St. Jude complies with health care-related federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
ATTENTION: If you speak another language, assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-866-278-5833 (TTY: 1-901-595-1040).
ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-866-278-5833 (TTY: 1-901-595-1040).
تنبيه: إذا كنت تتحدث باللغة العربية فيمكنك الاستعانة بخدمات المساعدة اللغوية المتوفرة لك مجانا. .يرجى الاتصال بالرقم. 5833-278-866-1 (الهاتف النصي: 1040-595-901-1).