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Hearing Loss
Studies show that
hearing loss can affect
anyone at any age, regardless of his/her
background or occupation. According to the
CDC, Impairments in
hearing can happen in
either frequency or intensity, or both.
Hearing
loss severity is based on how well a person can hear the
frequencies or intensities most often associated with speech.
Severity can be
described as mild, moderate, severe, or
profound.
The term “deaf” is sometimes
used to describe someone who has an
approximately 90 dB or greater hearing loss
or who cannot use
hearing to process
speech and language information, even with
the
use of hearing aids. The term “hard of
hearing” is sometimes used to
describe
people who have a less severe hearing
loss than deafness.
Intensity, or loudness, is measured in
decibels (dB). A person with
hearing within
the normal range can hear sounds ranging from
0 to
140 dB. A whisper is around 30 dB. Conversations are usually 45 to
50 dB. Sounds
that are louder than 90 dB can be uncomfortable
to
hear. A loud rock concert might be as loud as 110 dB. Sounds that
are 120 dB or louder can be painful and can result in temporary or
permanent hearing loss.
Hearing
loss can affect one or both ears. A loss
that affects one ear is
called a unilateral loss. A loss that affects both ears is called a
bilateral
loss.
There are four main types of hearing loss:
·
Conductive: Hearing loss caused by a problem in the outer ear or
middle ear. Conductive losses usually affect all frequencies to the
same degree. These losses are not usually severe.
·
Sensorineural: Hearing loss caused by a problem in the inner ear
or auditory nerve. A sensorineural loss often affects a person’s
ability to hear some frequencies more than others. This means that
sounds may be appear distorted, even with the use of a hearing aid.
Sensorineural losses can range from mild to profound.
·
Mixed: A combination of conductive and sensorineural losses.
·
Central: Hearing loss caused by a problem along the pathway from
the inner ear to the auditory region of the brain or in the brain
itself.
Reference: CDC website
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/hi2.htm,
Date: October
29, 2004
Content
source: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental
Disabilities
Hearing Loss Prevention:
One-third of hearing loss is preventable by wearing hearing
protection. There are many ways to prevent hearing loss from
overtaking your life. Knowledge is key to understanding hearing loss
and preventing it. Here are some helpful tips to prevent a
noise-induced hearing loss from occurring or getting worse.
• Wear earplugs/ear
muffs when exposed to noisy activities for any given time period.
People who operate equipment such as mowers, heavy equipment,
chainsaws should wear earplugs/muffs. These devices are usually
found at a local pharmacy or general store.
• Do not listen to radios or televisions at a loud level.
• Listening to pc, telephones, etc at a loud level can encourage or
induce the effect hearing loss.
Which protective
device is right for you?
Expandable
foam plugs
These plugs are made of a formable
material designed to expand and conform to the shape of each
person's ear canal. Roll the expandable plugs into a thin,
crease-free cylinder. Whether you roll plugs with thumb and fingers
or across your palm doesn't matter. What's critical is the final
result—a smooth tube thin enough so that about half the length will
fit easily into your ear canal. Some individuals, especially women
with small ear canals, have difficulty rolling typical plugs small
enough to make them fit. A few manufacturers now offer a small size
expandable plug.
Pre-molded,
reusable plugs
Pre-molded plugs are made from
silicone, plastic or rubber and are manufactured as either
“one-size-fits-most” or are available in several sizes. Many
pre-molded plugs are available in sizes for small, medium or large
ear canals.
A critical tip about
pre-molded plugs is that a person may need a different size plug for
each ear. The plugs should seal the ear canal without being
uncomfortable. This takes trial and error of the various sizes.
Directions for fitting each model of pre-molded plug may differ
slightly depending on how many flanges they have and how the tip is
shaped. Insert this type of plug by reaching over your head with one
hand to pull up on your ear. Then use your other hand to insert the
plug with a gentle rocking motion until you have sealed the ear
canal.
Advantages of
pre-molded plugs are that they are relatively inexpensive, reusable,
washable, convenient to carry, and come in a variety of sizes.
Nearly everyone can find a plug that will be comfortable and
effective. In dirty or dusty environments, you don't need to handle
or roll the tips.
Canal caps
Canal caps often resemble earplugs on a
flexible plastic or metal band. The earplug tips of a canal cap may
be a formable or pre-molded material. Some have headbands that can
be worn over the head, behind the neck or under the chin. Newer
models have jointed bands increasing the ability to properly seal
the earplug.
The main advantage
canal caps offer is convenience. When it's quiet, employees can
leave the band hanging around their necks. They can quickly insert
the plug tips when hazardous noise starts again. Some people find
the pressure from the bands uncomfortable. Not all canal caps have
tips that adequately block all types of noise. Generally, the canal
caps tips that resemble stand-alone earplugs seem to block the most
noise.
Earmuffs
Earmuffs come in many models designed
to fit most people. They work to block out noise by completely
covering the outer ear. Muffs can be "low profile" with small ear
cups or large to hold extra materials for use in extreme noise. Some
muffs also include electronic components to help users communicate
or to block impulsive noises.
Workers who have heavy
beards or sideburns or who wear glasses may find it difficult to get
good protection from earmuffs. The hair and the temples of the
glasses break the seal that the earmuff cushions make around the
ear. For these workers, earplugs are best. Other potential drawbacks
of earmuffs are that some people feel they can be hot and heavy in
some environments.
Reference: Choose The
Hearing Protection That's Right For You
- by Carol Merry Stephenson, Ph.D
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/
abouthlp/chooseprotection.html |
