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| SERTOMA SAFEEARS©
. . . to hear the future |
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An estimated 30 million Americans are
regularly exposed to noise that can result in preventable hearing loss,
and 10 million Americans have permanently damaged their hearing. Many
everyday activities are more harmful to our hearing than most people
realize. How do we know when a noise is so loud it's harmful? What can
we do to protect our hearing and keep our ears safe? Find out by
reviewing these hearing facts presented by Brainerd Area Sertoma Club as
part of their commitment to the SAFEEARS project.
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HEARING FACTS
Did you know?
Hearing is a series of events in which the ear converts sound waves into
electrical signals and causes nerve impul ses
to be sent to the brain—where they are interpreted as sound.Sound
waves reach the middle ear where they cause the eardrum to vibrate. The
vibrations move through fluid in the snail-shaped part of the inner ear
(cochlea) that contains hair cells, which initiates the changes that
lead to the production of the nerve impulses.
These nerve impulses are carried to the brain where they are interpreted
as sound. Different sounds move the hair cells in different ways, thus
allowing the brain to distinguish among various sounds such as different
vowel and consonant sounds.
What is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)?
When an individual is exposed to harmful sounds—sounds that are too loud
or loud sounds over a long period of time—sensitive structures of the
ear can be damaged, causing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
Noise-induced hearing loss can result from one-time exposure to a loud
sound or from repeated exposure to harmful sounds over an extended
period of time.
An estimated 30 million Americans are regularly exposed to noise that
can result in hearing loss, and 10 million Americans have permanently
damaged their hearing.
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How Loud is Too Loud?
The pressure of sound is measured in decibels (dB). The decibel measure
was developed to compare sound intensities.The loudness of sound is
measured in decibel units. Sound levels louder than 85 dB can damage the
ears.
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The decibel table shows some common sounds and how they
rank in potential harm to hearing:
| Decibels |
Sound |
| 150 dB |
Firecrackers |
| 145 dB
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Boom Cars |
| 110-140 dB |
Rock Concerts (varies) |
| 140-170 dB |
Firearms |
| 140 dB |
Jet Engines (near) |
| 120 dB
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Discotheque/Boom Box/Thunder Clap (near) |
| 110 dB |
Power Saw or Chain Saw |
| 110-125 dB |
Stereo (over
100 watts) |
| 105 dB |
Snowmobile |
| 90 dB
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Lawn Mower,
Motorcycle, Food Blender |
| 80-85 dB |
City Traffic Noise |
| 75-80 dB
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Dishwasher,
Washing Machine |
| 70 dB |
Vacuum Cleaner, Hair Dryer |
| 60 dB |
Normal
Conversation |
| 40 dB |
Refrigerator Humming |
| 30 dB |
Whispered
Voice |
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How Can I Prevent NIHL?
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is 100 percent preventable.
• Be aware. Be cautious. And
be well informed!
• Consider these three things
about sound:
1. How loud.
2. How long.
3. How close.
• Respond to loud sounds:
Turn down the volume. Use
hearing protection and/or walk
away.
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Download your "How Loud
is Too Loud" Bookmark |
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Looking for more information about SAFEEars or Noise-Induced Hearing
Loss at home? Contact the
SAFEEars
Committee.
Purchasing hearing protection can help keep your ears safe. Follow
this link if you'd like to
shop for hearing protection online. |
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