Damages to the ears can have immeasurable downfalls. Most don’t even think about the noise level or the length of time spent listening to extremely loud sounds and put themselves at risk. How do you know when it’s too loud?

  1. When someone is speaking who is only 3 feet away and they cannot be heard
  2. When the person next to you sounds muffled
  3. Being diagnosed with tinnitus
  4. If someone has to yell to be heard

Loud sounds or noises over 85 decibels (dB) can cause a person to lose the sense of hearing. A blast such as an explosion can injure a person’s hearing specifically if this is on a consistent basis. The effects can be critical to a person’s livelihood. It can be difficult to concentrate and cause fussiness.

Things That Are Loud

  • Gunfire is definitely loud and hard on the ears. A person should always use ear protection when firing a rifle or a gun or when visiting the firing range. A gun shot can register 145-155 decibels. This is above the average limitations of causing damage to the ear drums.
  • A rock and roll or heavy metal concert is perhaps one of the most enjoyed ways of losing the gift of hearing. At 400,000 speaker watts, it is suggested that a concert worker or attendee wear earplugs.
  • The mechanic who fixes racing cars are the recipients of roaring engine sounds and screaming fans. However, too much of this is not good for the driver or the pit crew. Surprisingly, the results of the loud noise can cause permanent hearing loss as well as damage to the eyes.
  • The earthquake that is able to demolish a city can destroy a person’s hearing. The consuming noise level of 235 dB can actually have fatal effects.

Is There Protection? 

Dealing with noise pollution on a daily basis takes a toll on the hearing. It’s up to the individual to protect their own ears. If the ruckus can’t be avoided, here are a few things to help defuse the situation: 

  • Reduce the noise level with sound panels. It is easy to install. The panels are made with absorbing materials that block sound from passing throughout a home or office. A barrier will prevent sounds from coming in or going out. 
  • Wear ear protection. Don’t put stock in cotton balls as these do not provide protection from loud noises. Buy earmuffs instead. 
  • Don’t listen to extremely loud music. Enjoying loud music sounds should be done in moderation. Always protect the ears and lower the volume. 

In business operations where blasting sounds are a frequent occurrence, the relation between hearing and acoustics are indivisible. For many buildings the acoustics are discussed during the design phase, however, depending on the originality of the building’s use, it may not have been significant. Getting acoustic panels installed is simpler than one may think.