Imagine this scenario: you went to see your favorite band in concert last night and danced and sang your heart out. This morning, you woke up to sore legs, a hoarse voice and…muffled hearing. It sounds like everything is underwater. Is it just temporary? Or has irreversible hearing damage occurred?
Of course, this kind of scenario isn’t just limited to concerts; people who work in noisy workplaces (such as a machine shop or construction) and have loud hobbies (such as motorbiking or shooting firearms) are regularly exposed to unsafe sound levels, and even some everyday noises in your daily life can cause hearing damage. In this noisy modern world, you need to know the signs that it’s time to get your hearing checked after exposure to loud noise.
How Loud Noise Damages Hearing
Sound waves for loud noises are big, wide and forceful. They are a wave of energy, meaning that they have force as they move through the air. It may not be enough force for you to feel on your skin like wind, but the tiny, delicate cells inside your ears can sure feel it. To these cells, that forceful sound wave feels like a gale force wind, and it can bend or break them.
When these cells are damaged, it leads to permanent noise-induced hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss is fairly common, affecting as many as 40 million adults. Any noise that is over 85 decibels can cause hearing damage, and the louder the sound, the less time it takes for damage to occur.
Signs of Noise-Induced Hearing Damage
Noise-induced hearing loss can come on gradually or instantaneously, depending on the noise you were exposed to. As mentioned, the louder the sound, the less time it takes. Whether it’s gradual or immediate, here are the signs to watch for that indicate hearing damage:
- Muffled sounds
- Difficulty hearing speech; it sounds like everyone is mumbling
- Inability to hear high-pitched sounds
- A feeling of fullness in your ear
- Ears ringing (tinnitus)
How to Know It’s Time to Seek Help
If you’ve experienced any of the symptoms listed above, we would encourage you to seek medical attention. Even if your hearing returns to relatively normal levels after a few days, the damage may still be permanent.
You don’t have to start with a full-blown hearing examination; you could check your hearing levels with a free online hearing screener or by chatting with your primary care physician or a healthcare professional. Either the online test or your PCP can help you determine if a hearing test with an audiologist is a necessary next step.
If the symptoms of hearing loss seem very severe, if hearing ability doesn’t return after a day or if you work or live in an environment that regularly exposes you to hazardous noise levels, we’d strongly recommend you come straight to us for a hearing test. Call Southwestern Hearing & Balance today to schedule an appointment.