{"id":826,"date":"2019-06-21T17:34:43","date_gmt":"2019-06-21T17:34:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.audiologycenternw.com\/?p=826"},"modified":"2019-10-02T22:06:32","modified_gmt":"2019-10-02T22:06:32","slug":"what-is-noise-induced-hearing-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/audiologycenternw.com\/what-is-noise-induced-hearing-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

The\r\nnumber one cause of hearing loss in Portland isn’t aging, as many believe; it’s\r\nactually noise exposure. Over the course of a lifetime, some damage to the\r\nsensory cells in your inner ear is inevitable. If you are frequently exposed to\r\nloud noise, hearing impairment<\/a> can occur at a very\r\nyoung age – even children and teenagers may be affected. The key to preventing\r\nhearing damage resulting from noise is to take steps now to protect your ears. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How Noise Damages Hearing <\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\"People<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

About\r\n15 percent of people in Portland aged 20 to 69 will develop noise-induced\r\nhearing loss. Sounds in excess of 85 decibels<\/a> (dB) can permanently\r\ndamage the hair cells of the cochlea; the louder the noise, the less safe\r\nexposure time you have. At 85 dB it takes about eight hours for hearing loss to\r\noccur; by the time you reach 100 dB, irreversible damage can happen in only 15\r\nminutes. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

High\r\nfrequencies are usually the first to be affected. This is why many with hearing\r\nloss in Portland often have trouble understanding women\u2019s and children\u2019s voices\r\nat first. Hearing loss is a progressive condition; left untreated, it can cause\r\na number of physical, psychological and social side effects. It is linked to\r\ndelayed academic development in children, social isolation and withdrawal,\r\nstress, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, memory impairment, an increased\r\nrisk of falls, and certain medical conditions such as diabetes and kidney\r\ndisease. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n


\r\nExperts say between 30-50 million Americans are exposed to dangerous sound\r\nlevels on a daily basis \u2013 including about half of all Portland teens and young\r\nadults aged 12 to 35. Personal audio players, earbuds and headphones are common sources for younger people<\/a>, as are bars and\r\nnightclubs. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Taking Steps to Protect Against Hearing Loss<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Once\r\nthe sensory cells in your inner ear are damaged, there is no cure. The good news?\r\nNoise-induced hearing loss is completely preventable. Following a few safety\r\ntips will help keep your hearing intact. Your Portland audiologist recommends\r\nthe following:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n