PREVENTION OF NIHL (NOISE INDUCED HEARING LOSS)
NIHL is a preventable condition caused by both one-time and
extended exposure to excessive decibel (dB) levels. This harm
to sensitive inner ear structures is irreversible and people of
all ages can be affected. Damage can happen in a single event
or gradually over time. One-time exposure to sounds louder
than 110 decibels and extended exposure to sounds over 85
decibels can cause harm. Indicators of NIHL include hearing loss
and tinnitus, a condition of sensing constant ringing, buzzing or
roaring. The NIDCD (National Institute on Deafness and Other
Communication Disorders) offers this simple rule of thumb: avoid
sound exposure that is “too loud, too close or too long.” Here are
some general references to sound levels that occur in everyday
life: refrigerator humming (45 dB); normal conversation (60 dB);
city traffic (85 dB); motorcycles (95 dB); an MP3 player at full
volume (105 dB); sirens (120 dB); firecrackers (150 dB).
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