World Hearing Day is March 3, so let’s remember how to protect our hearing.

By Stephen O. Frazier

The louder the noise, the less time it takes to damage a person's hearing.

Many years ago, while addressing Community Concerts subscription campaign workers across the country, I often shared the story of a young music student who believed Beethoven wrote loud music because he was deaf. By the time he composed his 9th Symphony, Beethoven had lost his hearing, but he famously said, “I’ll hear in heaven.” Unlike Beethoven, those with hearing loss today don’t have to wait to hear well, thanks to modern preventive measures, hearing aids, and implants.

For many, hearing loss is seen as a natural consequence of aging. It is often attributed to family history—people recall how Mom’s hearing declined as she transitioned to being a grandmother. While age can certainly impact hearing, the reality is that 65 percent of people with hearing loss are under 65.

For many younger individuals, noise exposure is the primary cause of hearing decline. While I could blame my own hearing loss on genetics—my father, his sister, and their mother were all hard of hearing—I know exposure to loud sounds played a major role.

I played the bass drum in my high school marching band, timpani in the concert band and community orchestra, piano in a Dixieland band, and was part of the first rock and roll generation. Repeated exposure to high-decibel sounds contributed significantly to my hearing deterioration.

Short-term exposure to loud sounds, such as standing too close to speakers at a concert or using a gas-powered leaf blower without protection, can cause temporary hearing loss. Repeated exposure can make that loss permanent.

The impact of noise on hearing depends on both volume and duration. The louder the noise, the faster it can cause damage. The World Health Organization recommends keeping noise exposure levels below 70 decibels (dB) over a 24-hour period. Every 3 dB increase in sound level cuts the safe exposure time in half.

Prolonged exposure to loud noise can also lead to tinnitus—a persistent ringing or buzzing sound that only the affected person hears. Over time, tinnitus may progress to permanent hearing loss. Using protective strategies and devices can prevent or reduce this risk.

One challenge is determining how loud a noise actually is. Sound level charts exist, but they are often imprecise. In the past several years many free apps, such as the NIOSH SLM app, can measure noise levels and predict allowable exposure times. Some, like SoundPrint, also help users find quieter restaurants and coffee shops.

Protecting Your Hearing

The best way to prevent hearing loss from excess noise is to avoid loud environments, but that isn’t always possible. When faced with high noise levels, consider the following options:

• Move away from the noise if possible.

• Lower the volume or ask for it to be reduced.

• Limit the time spent in noisy areas.

• Leave the room or area when needed.

• Use protective devices such as:
  
  1. Universal Earplugs: Made from foam, silicone, or other materials, these are inserted into the ear canal to reduce noise by 15 to 30 decibels. Foam earplugs are disposable, while pre-molded ones are reusable.
  
  2. Custom Earplugs: Molded to fit an individual’s ear canal, these are more effective and comfortable than universal earplugs and are typically provided by hearing care professionals.
  
  3. Earmuffs: These cover the entire ear, sealing out noise. They have cushioned edges and internal padding for comfort and are adjustable to fit under protective headwear.
  
  4. Noise-Canceling Headphones: These function similarly to earmuffs but use advanced noise-canceling technology to produce sound waves that counteract environmental noise, making them more effective at reducing unwanted sounds.
  
  5. Digital Noise-Control Devices: More advanced than noise-canceling headphones, these use digital signal processing (DSP) to remove unwanted noise. This technology is also found in hearing aids to enhance speech clarity while minimizing background noise. True wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation are another option, especially for frequent travelers or commuters.

Regular hearing tests by a hearing care professional help detect early hearing loss and track any progression. Identifying and addressing hearing issues early can prevent further deterioration and improve overall well-being. Protecting your hearing not only preserves auditory function but also supports mental and emotional health, ensuring a higher quality of life.

This discussion brings us back to Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and its powerful double fugue in the final movement. Many interpret this piece as symbolizing both the joy and heartache of human experience. Good hearing brings joy to life, while its loss can lead to anguish—a sentiment Beethoven himself expressed in a letter to Count Ferdinand von Waldstein: “I must confess that I lead a miserable life... because I find it impossible to say to people, ‘I am deaf.'”

By taking proactive steps to protect our hearing, we can avoid such misery and continue to enjoy the beautiful sounds that enrich our lives—including Beethoven’s triumphant "Ode to Joy."

Hearing Health magazine staff writer Stephen O. Frazier was trained as a hearing loss support specialist by the Hearing Loss Association of America. He has held local, state, and national positions in HLAA and has presented on a variety of hearing loss issues to groups and organizations throughout the U.S. His advocacy work has resulted in new laws and regulations in New Mexico and elsewhere. For more, see sofnabq.com or contact him at hlaanm@juno.com.

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