How to Protect Yourself From Dangerously Loud Sounds

If you struggle to hear yourself over loud sounds or you feel pain and ringing inside your ears, premature hearing loss could be taking place. According to the University of Illinois McKinley Health Center, if noise is loud enough and lasts long enough, it can damage your hearing. Fortunately, noise-induced hearing loss can be reduced or prevented altogether. Prevent accumulative hearing loss by avoiding chronic exposure to dangerously loud sounds.

Instructions

• 1

  Protect ears from noisy environments.

  Avoid constant exposure to sound reaching more than 80 decibels. Decibels (dB) measure the intensity of sound. Traffic and home appliances create 90 decibels. Exposure at 120 decibels, such as the sound of thunder, fireworks or a rock concert, can cause ear injury. Permanent hearing loss could ensue if you are exposed to sounds from jet airplanes, gunshots and artillery ranges or a rocket launching pad, which can reach reach 140 to 180 decibels.

• 2

  Avoid becoming accustomed to enjoying music at high volume levels.

  Take protection against the sources of continuous loud sounds. Find refuge in another room or building until the dangerous loud sounds pass. Carry earplugs with you at all times for unexpected exposure to loud noise. Be mindful listening to music for long periods of time, as you can become used to the high volume level. unknowingly damaging your ears.

• 3

  Use earplugs while working in a noisy environment.

  Use ear protection. Put earplugs inside your ears, and make sure the earplugs are snug, creating an airtight seal. Earplugs give you 15 dB of noise protection. MayoClinic.com suggests using foam, pre-formed or custom-molded earplugs made of plastic or rubber.

• 4

  Earmuffs provide extra protection from noisy occupations.

  Don earmuffs that resemble earphones for exposure to long periods of noise, such as in construction, mining, yard work or other noisy jobs. Earmuffs protect ears better than earplugs, up to 25 dB. Use both earplugs and earmuffs for double protection.

• 5

  See your doctor to monitor hearing loss.

  Visit your doctor or ask for a referral to a hearing specialist or audiologist for testing. Ask your doctor for advice to help prevent hearing loss.