EAR HEALTH
EN
12
Our ability to hear is amazing. Treat your ears like the precious tools they
are, and they will continue to provide you with exceptional data, as well as
a lifetime of incredible sonic experiences.
In general, do not listen “too loud” or for “too long,” and be attentive to
your own ears. Ringing, discomfort, or sensitivity to high frequencies and
treble may be a signal from your ears that you are pushing them to their
limits and causing irreparable damage.
As a general practice, find what seems to be your preferred listening
level and then adjust the volume down another 10% or more. Surprisingly,
your ears will attune to a slightly lower volume over time, and what seems
quiet at first can be perfect for longer listening periods.
NIHL
NIHL is a preventable condition caused by both one-time and extended
exposure to excessive decibel (dB) levels. This harm to sensitive inner ear
structures is irreversible and people of all ages can be affected. Damage
can happen in a single event or gradually over time. One-time exposure
to an intense “impulse” sound, such as an explosion, or by continued
exposure to loud sounds over 85 decibels can cause harm. Indicators of
NIHL include hearing loss and tinnitus, a condition of sensing constant
ringing, buzzing, or roaring. The NIDCD (National Institute on Deafness
and Other Communication Disorders) offers this simple rule of thumb:
avoid sound exposure that is “too loud, too close, or too long.” Here are
some general references to sound levels that occur in everyday life:
refrigerator humming (45 dB); normal conversation (60 dB); city traffic
(85 dB); motorcycles (95 dB); an MP3 player at full volume (105 dB);
sirens (120 dB); firecrackers (150 dB).
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