Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

What is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?

Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is irreversible hearing damage resulting from continuous exposure to high levels of noise. It affects an estimated 10 to 15 million people in the United States, making excessive noise exposure the most common cause of hearing loss.

Causes

NIHL can be caused by a sudden intense sound, like an explosion, rifle shot, or firecracker, or by continuous exposure to loud sounds over an extended period of time. Repeated exposure to sound levels greater than 85 dBA can damage the hair cells in the cochlea of the inner ear, and also the nerve fibers that relay sound to the brain for processing.

Symptoms

Symptoms of NIHL increase gradually. Over time, sounds may seem distorted or muffled, and it may become increasingly difficult to understand speech. Someone with NIHL may not be aware of their hearing loss, but a hearing test can divulge the problem and promote early treatment.

Who Is Affected?

People of all ages can develop NIHL. More than 30 million Americans are exposed to hazardous sounds on a regular basis. About one-third of the 28 million Americans with this type of hearing loss likely developed it from noise at work or leisure activities. Noise is one of the most common occupational health hazards, and hearing loss is the main concern in industrial, manufacturing, entertainment, and farming environments.

Progression

NIHL is a hearing disorder characterized by gradual, progressive high frequency hearing loss, due to harmful noise exposure. The audiogram (right, adapted from ANSI S3.44-1996, and the Better Hearing Institute, Prevention of Hearing Loss from Noise Exposure) illustrates the typical progression after daily averaged exposure to noise levels of 95 dBA for white men at ages 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 years with 0, 10, 20, 30, & 40 years of cumulative noise exposure, respectively. An audiogram is a graphic record of an individual’s minimum hearing sensitivity for various sound frequencies

As symptoms progresses, the hearing loss may eventually spread to frequencies where human speech is pervasive…in the range of 500-3000 Hz. If hearing loss becomes pervasive in this region, understanding speech will become difficult.