Being able to hear is something that many take for granted but hearing loss can happen at any age and prolonged exposure to sounds can have a lasting effect. October is National Protect Your Hearing Month and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say roughly 40 million Americans between 20 and 60 years of age have noise-induced hearing loss. IDOL spokesperson Hap Hileman says that any ongoing loud noises can be very dangerous.
Hileman says there are three things that you should do to protect yourself from loud noises: time, distance, and shielding.
Damage is permanent and while hearing aids can help, they won’t completely reverse the damage that is done from prolonged noise. Avoid loud noises and limit proximity and time exposed, use hearing protection, and above all else, talk to your doctor if you are concerned about hearing loss. For more information from OSHA visit their website.