Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Originally published in Mayo Clinic Health Letter, July 1995

Loud noise damages the nerve endings in your inner ear that help convert vibrations into the electrical signals your brain interprets as sound.

This type of hearing loss is irreversible but preventable. To protect your hearing:

• Get out if you have to shout--Noise can be damaging if you have to raise your voice to be heard or can't hear conversation from less than 2 feet away. If you must be around loud noise, leave the area for five to 10 minutes every half hour.

• Muffle the sound--Wear earplugs or earmuffs around noisy tools, equipment or firearms. Make sure the protectors fit snugly and have a noise reduction rating of at least 15 decibels (listed on the box). Don't use cotton; it's ineffective and can become lodged in your ear canal.

• Turn down the volume on headphones--By directing sound into your ear, headphones can produce levels loud enough to damage your hearing. Hold your headset an arm's length away. If you can hear the sound, the volume is probably too high.

• Test your hearing--If you're frequently around loud noise, have your hearing checked annually. A hearing test can detect mild hearing loss before the damage is obvious or disabling.