Month: June 2018
Hearing Loss
Posted on June 1, 2018 by adminHearing Impairment affects 40% of people over 55 years of age.
All acute hearing loss should be medically reviewed especially if associated with pain .
Insidious progressive hearing loss may be related to environment noise damage , medication side effects, chemical exposure -solvents , dyes or poisons ; or inherited characteristics.
Discussion with your GP, simple clinical tests and subsequent pure tone audiometry are the initial steps in evaluating hearing loss and determining treatment.
Hearing aids for sensorineuronal presbycusis (age related hearing loss) and occupational hearing loss are a common solution and for some consideration of cochlear implant .
Cumulative hearing loss commonly occurs after prolonged exposure to sound levels greater than 85 decibels. The acceptable save exposure time decrease by half for every 3 db increase in sound intensity eg 88db + 4 hours 91 db = 2 hrs. Ear muffs or plugs reduce sound intensity by 15-25 db
A cord electric drill is about 91 db , a cordless drill about 78 db and a petrol chainsaw about 120 db. Noise is compounded by use of tools indoors and reduced when used outdoors . Rule of thumb if you have to raise your voice above conversational to be heard at arms length away you probably need hearing protection. Occupational hearing loss is cumulative.