Can You Hear Me Now?

Preserving your sense of hearing is part of living an optimal life  

Headphones let you hear every note clearly, but excessive use at high volume can lead to some degree of hearing loss. Zdan Ivan/Shutterstock

The ability to hear clearly is a luxury that is often taken for granted, until we realize we can no longer hear the TV, friends and family, or certain tones.

Our ability to hear is an incredible process: the very abbreviated description of the process is that sound waves, which are vibrations in the air, are captured by the ears and then channeled into the ear canal to the eardrum, to three tiny bones, and then to hair cells to be processed by type, stimulating a flow of chemicals that create electrical signals that are carried by auditory nerves to the brain, to be instantly translated into recognizable sounds.

The problem is that, as we age or the auditory system is damaged, our ability to hear can be compromised. According to the Mayo Clinic, some level of hearing loss afflicts almost half of the U.S. population aged 65 or older. However, by taking a few precautions, it’s possible to prevent or at least slow hearing loss. Any uptick in turning up the TV volume, an increased need for people to repeat themselves, or an inability to hear certain tones should prompt a visit to a physician.

Headphones at a safe volume allow you to enjoy music in private, so you can focus without disturbing those around you. fizkes/Shutterstock

How Does It Happen?

Hearing loss is often the result of the aging process, but there are many other ways in which hearing can be impaired. Cavemen were most likely more concerned about saber-toothed tigers than hearing loss, but as society evolved, an ever-widening array of external influences began to take a toll on hearing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), loud noises cause the hair cells in the ear that process sound wave vibration to bend, with the degree of bending correlating to the sound level. After one-time exposure to relatively loud noise, the hair cells become straight again. However, extremely loud noises or repeated exposure to loud noise can damage these hair cells so they can’t straighten and can eventually kill them.

Because these hair cells don’t grow back, any damage or loss is concerning. In some cases, a loss of hearing can even lead to balance issues.

The human auditory system consists of multiple components working together to transform sound waves into recognizable sounds. Tartila/Shutterstock

Turn Down the Volume

It’s well-known that exposure to loud rock music at concerts and to loud noise for several hours at car races can cause a temporary ringing effect resulting from an impairment in the ear’s ability to transmit or process sounds effectively. Regardless of the source of the noise, while the auditory system can rebound from short-term exposure to overly loud sounds, the vibration caused by long-term exposure to loud noises can result in permanent hearing damage. One of the most common ways hearing is damaged is extended listening to music at very loud levels, whether using earbuds or headphones and even when sitting too close to the speakers.

As speakers and amplifiers get larger, they are able to project more music, making it important to maintain a safe distance from them to avoid hearing loss. prapann/Shutterstock

Taking part in shooting sports such as skeet, hunting, or even casual target shooting without wearing ear protection can result in short-term or long-term damage; some enthusiasts “double up” on protection by combining the use of foam earplugs with over-the-ear headphone-style protection.

Another common cause of hearing loss is using power tools such as circular saws or gas-powered string trimmers without ear protection. Electronic hearing protection, which incorporates an electronic sound-canceling feature that automatically activates when it detects sound levels above a certain decibel (dB) level, can prove helpful to those using excessively loud power equipment or taking part in shooting sports.

At the first sign of reduced hearing ability, consult with a physician to determine the cause and possible treatments. DuxX/Shutterstock

Riding a motorcycle can be a potential factor in hearing damage; not surprisingly, loud engines—100 dB or more—can damage unprotected ears, but the leading cause of hearing damage among motorcycle riders, including passengers, is actually wind noise. The turbulence called wind noise rushing past and over unprotected ears can negatively affect hearing ability, either short-term or permanently. Turbulence can also be experienced by those driving or riding in convertibles at high speeds.

Electronic hearing protection systems automatically block sounds above a set decibel level, making them ideal for shooting sports such as skeet. Roman Chazov/Shutterstock

The solution for motorcycle riders is simple: either wear a helmet that completely covers the ears or use earplugs to eliminate or at least mitigate turbulence and thus hearing damage. According to AGV, a manufacturer of motorcycle safety equipment, more than 15 minutes’ exposure to engine noise louder than 100dB can cause permanent damage.

Another perhaps surprising cause of hearing impairment is an excessive buildup of earwax. Also called cerumen, earwax protects the ear canal by trapping dirt and mitigating the growth of bacteria; if it becomes a blockage, it can decrease one’s ability to hear and may cause dizziness or an earache. The good news is that health care professionals can usually remove earwax blockages very easily.

Care for your ears and you won’t be that person asking, “What’d he say?”