4th of July & Hearing Damage

[Chuck McElwee]

The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) is urging people to pack earplugs
when heading out to this year’s 4th of July celebrations and is
warning of the danger of permanent hearing loss that fireworks can
pose. The single bang of a firecracker at close range can permanently
damage hearing in an instant. But by following some simple
precautions, people can enjoy the 4th of July festivities and still
protect their hearing.

"The best advice I can offer is to leave the fireworks to the
professionals and sit at a comfortable distance from the display,
where you can enjoy the colors and lights, but not expose yourself and
your family to loud noises," says Sergei Kochkin, PhD, BHI’s executive
director. "To protect your hearing, make sure you’re wearing ear plugs
and that they’re securely in place before the show begins. And be sure
to keep them in for the entire show."

Disposable ear plugs, made of foam or silicone, are typically
available at local pharmacies. They’re practical because you still can
hear music and the conversation of those around you when you have them
in your ears. But when they fit snuggly, they’re effective in
adequately blocking out dangerously loud sounds.

Noise is one of the most common causes of hearing loss. Ten million
Americans have already suffered irreversible hearing damage from
noise; and 30 million are exposed to dangerous noise levels each day.
According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, consumption of
fireworks in the United States has risen dramatically over the past
three decades, from 29 million pounds in 1976 to more than 265.5
million pounds in 2007. As more and more Americans come into contact
with fireworks, it becomes increasingly important that people follow
sound safety measures, including the use of ear protection.

The Dangers and Signs of Loud Noise
Loudness is measured in decibels, with silence measuring at 0 dB. Any
noise above 85 dB is considered unsafe. Most firecrackers produce
sounds starting at 125 dB–-presenting the risk of irreversible ear
damage. Repeated exposure to loud noise, over an extended period of
time, presents serious risks to hearing health as well.

If you have to shout over the noise to be heard by someone within
arm's length, the noise is probably in the dangerous range. Here are
other warning signs:

* You have pain in your ears after leaving a noisy area.
* You hear ringing or buzzing (tinnitus) in your ears
immediately after exposure to noise.
* You suddenly have difficulty understanding speech after
exposure to noise; you can hear people talking but can't understand
them.

Anyone can take the first step to addressing hearing loss by taking a
simple, interactive screening test in the privacy of their own home by
going to http://www.hearingcheck.org.

"Prevention is so critical to preserving our hearing, especially for
children who are at highest risk for noise-induced hearing loss," adds
Kochkin. "So make sure your family and friends fully enjoy the holiday
festivities and celebrate smart. Leave the fireworks to the
professionals. Stay a safe distance away. And pack the earplugs.
Remember: close to 40% of hearing loss is preventable with proper
protection.”

Protecting Our Hearing
We hear sound when delicate hair cells in our inner ear vibrate,
creating nerve signals that the brain understands as sound. But just
as we can overload an electrical circuit, we also can overload these
vibrating hair cells. Loud noise damages these delicate hair cells,
resulting in sensorineural hearing loss and often tinnitus (ringing of
the ears). The cells that are the first to be damaged or die are those
that vibrate most quickly–those that allow us to hear higher-frequency
sounds clearly, like the sounds of birds singing and children
speaking.

The best way to protect hearing is to avoid excessively loud noise.
When you know you'll be exposed to loud noises, like fireworks, wear
ear protection. Every day you can protect your hearing by keeping down
the volume on earbuds, stereos, and televisions. And you can teach
children to quickly plug their ears with their fingers when they're
suddenly and unexpectedly bombarded by loud sirens, jack hammers, and
other loud sounds.

Kochkin warns that people should not personally use firecrackers to
celebrate the 4th of July, since one explosion in close proximity
could cause permanent hearing loss, not to mention bodily harm. There
is a reason why fireworks are illegal in many states, and that is
because of their inherent danger.