What is Unilateral Hearing Loss?

Noise induced hearing loss is the second most common form of hearing loss (ranking behind presbycusis, hearing loss related to normal aging), and is the most preventable type.

How Can Sounds Hurt Your Ears?

Background sound is a constant in our busy lives. Normally, background noises are at safe levels that won’t impact our hearing. But repeated exposure to noise above 85 decibels (dB) can cause noise induced hearing loss. The louder the sound, the less amount of time it takes to damage your hearing.

Average Decibel Rating of Common Sounds

Normal conversation: 60 dB
City traffic: 80-85 dB
Motorcycle: 95 dB
Sporting events: 100 dB
Ambulance sirens: 120 dB
Firecrackers: 140 dB

Who is Affected by Noise Induced Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss is often perceived as “a disease of the elderly,” but noise induced hearing loss shatters that stereotype because it can affect people of all ages, including children, teenagers and adults young and old.

What Activities Can Damage Your Hearing?

It is estimated that 24 percent of Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 are experiencing hearing loss that is the result of exposure to excessive noise either at work or through recreational activities. High-risk pursuits include:

Hunting
Riding motorcycles and snowmobiles
Attending rock concerts
Listening to music at high volume through ear buds or headphones
Mowing the lawn
Using a leaf blower

Signs of Noise Induced Hearing Loss

Hearing loss often develops gradually and may not be immediately noticeable. If conversations and other noises sound distorted or muffled, you may be experiencing early symptoms.

Other signs include:

Frequently asking people to repeat themselves when speaking.
Watching TV or listening to the radio with the volume set at a level uncomfortable to others.

Many times, exposure to loud noise causes a temporary hearing loss that disappears within 48 hours. Over time this may lead to long-term hearing damage.

How Do You Treat Noise-induced Hearing Loss?

The most common treatment method for this hearing loss type is the use of a hearing aid. For cases where a traditional device cannot be used or will not be effective, a bone-anchored hearing device may be fitted instead.

Noise induced hearing loss can occasionally be temporary and hearing may return after 16 to 48 hours. That doesn’t mean that damage hasn’t occurred though. If you have already suffered from noise damage, existing damage to your hearing cannot be repaired, but prevention methods can keep more damage from occurring.

How to Prevent Hearing Loss

Noise induced hearing loss is 100 percent preventable.

An awareness of activities that can cause hearing damage is key. When exposed to loud noise, be sure to wear earplugs or other protective devices. We carry custom earplugs designed for specific activities such as hunting and listening to live music. Keep the volume at a reasonable level while listening to music through headphones.

Regular hearing tests can help identify problems early, reducing your risk of developing long-term damage.

Call Center For Hearing at (239) 434-0086 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

The Future of Hearing Devices: Deep Neural Networks & Artificial Intelligence

February 14, 2025

Hearing technology has come a long way over the years; however, one aspect of hearing loss that many hearing aids have difficulty addressing is trouble understanding speech in noise. Fortunately, some of today’s state-of-the-art devices can solve this problem utilizing deep neural networks (DNN) and artificial intelligence (AI). Sensorineural hearing loss causes difficulty understanding speech in background noise. This type of hearing loss is caused by damage to the hair cells of the inner ear that convert soundwaves into electrical energy, which are then interpreted by the brain. This causes the quality and quantity of the signal sent from the ears to the brain to diminish over time, resulting in the brain expending more energy and effort to make sense of it. DNNs may help improve the transmission of the neural code, making hearing easier on the brain. [1] It’s important to know what DNNs are to understand how they can help. DNNs are a subset of AI. They rapidly analyze large data sets so that they can teach hearing aids and other technological devices how to respond to data like a human would, all while verifying accuracy and making corrections. DNNs are beneficial in hearing technology because they can help with speech enhancement. DNNs can be applied as “time-frequency masks,” meaning select sounds—like speech—are allowed while other sounds are suppressed. DNNs can also identify and separate multiple voices, selecting a primary voice to emphasize and secondary voices to suppress. This feature can help hearing device wearers in a variety of settings. For example, at a restaurant or party, the hearing device can emphasize a conversation partner, allow other nearby voices at a reduced volume and suppress background noises such as dishes clinking. Schedule an appointment to talk to Center for Hearing about our vast state-of-the-art hearing solutions today— (239) 434-0086. [1] Published by Douglas L. Beck. (2021, January 15). Deep neural networks in hearing devices. Retrieved April 2, 2021 from https://www.hearingreview.com/hearing-products/hearing-aids/deep-neural-networks

Startup Aims to Develop the First Gene Therapy for Hearing Loss

February 14, 2025

A Boston biotech startup is attempting to develop the first gene therapy treatment for hearing loss. If successful, it promises to offer new hope to the estimated 300,000 Americans who suffer from gene-based hearing loss—a number that includes more than 4,000 newborns. The timing may not be ideal, but biotech companies have been largely immune from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing recession. Developing new drugs takes years, so these companies are better able to weather storms. And the efforts of biotechnology companies that are focusing on tools to prevent and treat potentially fatal health threats has resulted in soaring stock values for many of these companies, even in the face of the current crisis. Akouos, the Boston startup, was founded in 2016. Its goal is to develop the first gene therapy to treat hearing loss and is targeting a specific form of deafness that results from mutations in a single gene. They are experimenting with adeno-associated viruses, using them as vectors to deliver DNA that encodes a functioning gene in certain target cells. Around 7,000 people are afflicted with this type of genetic hearing loss. Adeno-associated viruses are considered viable candidates because they don’t usually cause disease and can be customized to treat a variety of genetic conditions. The company has partnered with two influential organizations: Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Lonza, a Swiss manufacturing company that holds contracts with various pharmaceutical makers. Manny Simons, Akouos’ co-founder and chief executive, holds a degree in neuroscience from Harvard College, a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. His desire to help those with hearing loss stems from his passion for playing the piano. “It’s easy to take hearing for granted,” said in a Boston Globe interview. “Maybe because music has been important to me, it’s something that I take a little less for granted.” [1] [1] Saltzman, J. (2020, June 22). Akouos, a startup developing a gene therapy for hearing loss, raises IPO value to $125 million - The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 30, 2020, from https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/06/22/business/ipo-upped-akouos-boston-startup-working-gene-therapy-hearing-loss/