Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
The ears are very delicate organs. The slightest irritation of their vital parts may result in loss of normal functioning. There are many causes of hearing loss. Factors such as age, genetics, trauma, injuries and other external factors are just a few of these causes. But the most common reason for hearing loss is exposure to loud and deafening sounds. Frequent exposure to loud noises can soften and damage the delicate tissues of the inner ear.
Whether we’re listening to loud music or exposed to various deafening sounds, these earsplitting noises can damage our ears. As a result, we experience loss of hearing. This condition is commonly referred to as occupational or noise-induced hearing loss.
The most common sign of occupational or noise-induced hearing loss is the inability to understand speech in a loud background or hear high-pitched sounds. As the ability to hear diminishes, lower-pitched sounds may also become hard to decipher.
Loss of hearing is not painful; hence, most people don’t see the danger of too much loud noise. People assume that symptoms like muffled hearing or ringing in the ears will go away later on and everything will back to normal. Unfortunately, this is not absolutely true.
While hearing may return to normal, it is possible that the loud noises could have permanently damaged the vital cells in the inner ear. If there is repeated and frequent exposure to these deafening sounds, there is danger of developing long-term hearing loss.
