Are You Damaging Your Ears?

5 ways to limit the risk of hearing loss

What is hearing loss?

The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) estimates that hearing loss affects 1 in 3 adults in the UK to some degree. It is a general term that describes a spectrum of hearing ability, from mild, through to moderate, severe and profound loss or deafness. It can be present from birth, develop with normal ageing or after a health condition, injury or repeated exposure to loud noise.

Hearing loss is categorised as conductive, sensorineural or mixed. Conductive means that structures within the ear are not transmitting sound properly. Sensorineural means that a part of the hearing system that converts sound information to electrical signals and transmits these to the brain isn’t working properly. Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both types.

By 2030, worldwide, over 500 million people are expected to have significant hearing loss and over one billion young people face the risk of acquired hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to recreational activities like loud music and gaming. 

Steps you can take to protect hearing

1. The impact of noise depends on the intensity and the duration. A general rule of thumb is that noise has the potential to cause damage if you need to shout or raise your voice at 1-2m away to be heard.
2. Turn the volume down on devices, take breaks or distance yourself from loud noise.
3. Loud concerts can be harmful to hearing. Try not to be positioned too close to the speakers, and if you spend lots of time at events, consider protecting your hearing with high fidelity musician earplugs that ensure that you can enjoy the music and experience, but reduce the sound intensity without any distortion. Little ears are more vulnerable to noise damage, so if you take children to festivals or music events, ensure they wear ear defenders to protect them.
4. The UK Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 require employers to implement control measures to prevent or reduce risk arising from loud noise at work, such as reducing noise generation and transmission, demarcating hearing protection zones, providing hearing protection and arranging regular hearing checks for employees when deemed necessary following a risk assessment. It is important to use your hearing protection consistently and understand how to use it correctly. Report any issues (for example discomfort, wear and tear, incompatibility with your glasses, struggling to hear with use) promptly and make sure you attend all hearing checks that are offered.
5. You can assess your own hearing by undertaking a quick online test (Hearing test - 3 minutes, free, online, easy and reliable | RNID) or arranging an in-person hearing test (audiology) free on the NHS with referral or at many opticians or pharmacies (sometimes for a charge). 

Speak to your GP if you develop hearing loss (without delay if this is sudden) or symptoms suggestive of an ear problem. You might be referred for a hearing test or occasionally, for an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) opinion. Assessment identifies any treatable causes and informs the next steps. Early identification and access to support will help you to achieve your best level of functioning.

There is further information about World Hearing Day and how to get involved here: www.worldhearingday.org/.