Breaking the Silence – Recreational Noise Exposure and Hearing Loss

The world is a noisy place with the buzzing of people going about their daily lives, ringing of phones and roaring car engines. Sometimes we need time out and for the most part this includes engaging in activities that support self-care and help reduce stress.

For some this may include hobbies such as woodwork, gardening, music or even playing computer games. But have you ever asked yourself how loud is too loud?

Sound intensity is based on a practical logarithmic scale called Decibels (dB). The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health advises that ear protection should be used for sounds at or over 85dB. To put this into perspective a dishwasher is 60dB, an alarm clock is 80dB, an ambulance siren is 120dB and a gunshot is 140dB.

Activities such as gaming, especially for extended periods at high volume, can pose a significant risk to hearing health.

Studies have shown that many gamers between the age of 10- to 40-year olds are exposed to sound levels that exceed safe limits.

Many video games, especially action and shooting games, have sound levels that can reach up to 119 dB during gameplay. This is well above the safe exposure limit.

The Impact of Noise on Hearing
The ear is a delicate structure, and the tiny hair cells located in the cochlear (inner ear), which transmit sound to the brain, are especially vulnerable to loud noises.

When exposed to high decibel levels, these cells can become damaged, leading to temporary or permanent hearing loss. The damage is often cumulative, meaning repeated exposure, even at moderate levels, can add up over time.

Recognizing the Signs
Noise-induced hearing loss often progresses slowly, making it difficult to notice early on. Key signs to watch for include:
• Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus): A persistent ringing or buzzing sound.
• Difficulty Understanding Speech: Particularly in noisy environments. • Muffled Hearing: Sounds may seem distant or unclear.

Guidelines to follow
Help protect your hearing, especially when using personal audio devices like smartphones, tablets, or music players.
• Listening at no more than 60% of the maximum volume to keep the sound levels within a safe range.
• Limiting listening to 60 minutes at a time to prevent prolonged exposure. What else can be done?

By taking the right steps, you can protect your hearing and ensure that you continue to enjoy the sounds of life without risking long-term damage. Midland Hearing Care is a provider of high quality Custom Ear Protection.

Our custom ear protection service is ideal for musician’s looking for custom in ear monitors (IEM’s) to protect their hearing, while experiencing outstanding sound quality while performing in studio or live on stage.

Our custom hearing protection solutions include: gun sport (passive & electronic filtered plugs), industrial noise, motor sport, music earplugs (passive filters) and skydiving.

Hearing is one of our most valuable senses, yet it is often taken for granted until it's impaired. Protecting your hearing and enjoying the decibels responsibly is crucial for maintaining long-term auditory health.

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