Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: Sounds You Might Not Realize Are Harming Your Hearing

Hearing is an essential part of daily life, yet most people don’t realize when they are damaging their ears. While hearing loss can result from aging or head injuries, one of the most common causes is exposure to loud sounds, such as fireworks. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) can develop after a single exposure to extremely loud noise or gradually over time from repeated exposure.

Inside your inner ear (the cochlea), tiny hair cells vibrate and send electrical signals to the auditory nerve, allowing you to hear. Different groups of hair cells interpret different sound frequencies. Over time, if these hair cells are damaged or destroyed, it can result in permanent hearing loss.

Sounds That Can Damage Your Ears

A healthy ear can hear frequencies from 20 to 20,000 Hz. However, some sounds can cause long-term or permanent noise-induced hearing loss, either immediately or after prolonged exposure. Sound is measured in decibels (dB). Normal conversation occurs around 60 dB, which is not loud enough to cause damage. By comparison, a typical rock concert averages around 120 dB, meaning hearing damage can begin within the first 15 minutes. Simply put, the lower the volume, the longer you can listen safely; the higher the volume, the shorter the safe exposure time.

85–100 dB (6–8 hours before damage)

• Heavy traffic

• Window air conditioners (close proximity)

• Loud bars

• Hair dryers

• Motorcycles

• Noisy toys (close to the ear)

• Subway trains passing by

• Music players at maximum volume

110–180 dB (1–30 minutes before damage, depending on the level)

• Rock concerts (near speakers)

• Thunder

• Emergency vehicle sirens

• Fireworks (close to the ear)

• Crowded stadiums

• Firecrackers

• Airbag deployment

• Jet takeoffs

How to Protect Your Hearing

The simplest way to prevent noise-induced hearing loss is to be aware of the volume around you. Listening at levels below 85 dB helps preserve your hearing.

If the noise is too loud, avoid staying in the environment long enough to cause damage. When in doubt, always use hearing protection devices such as earplugs or earmuffs.