Over 36 million Americans
Suffer from Hearing Loss!
That is over 4 times
the amount of people living
in New York City!
Over 18 million Americans who
suffer from hearing loss are
younger than 65.
3 Types of Hearing Loss
• Sensorineural Hearing Loss
o Hearing loss caused by aging, illness, and excessive
exposure to noise (noise-induced hearing loss).
• Conductive Hearing Loss
o Hearing loss occurs when sound waves are prevented from
reaching the inner ear.
• Mixed Hearing Loss
o Hearing loss caused by a combination of both
sensorineural and conductive hearing losses.
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
or NIHL is on the rise in America.
Our ears are exposed to higher
levels of noise more today than
ever before.
This hearing loss is:
Permanent
100% Preventable
Can occur at any age!
How We Hear: Outer Ear
The outermost part of the ear is
called the pinna. The pinna acts
like a funnel directing sound
waves into the ear canal.
The sound waves then travel
through the ear canal to the ear
drum.
The sound waves vibrate the
ear drum and those vibrations
are transmitted to the middle
ear.
How We Hear: Middle Ear
The middle ear is made up of the
hammer, anvil, and stirrup bones.
These three bones are the smallest
in the body and are collectively
known as the ossicles.
stirrup
anvil
hammer
The ossicles amplify and transfer
the sound vibrations from the ear
drum to the inner ear.
How We Hear: Inner Ear
semicircular canals
The inner ear is made up of the
semicircular canals and the
cochlea.
cochlea
Each part of the inner ear is very
different in form and function to the
human body.
Inner Ear: Semicircular Canals
semicircular canals
The semicircular canals are the
portion of the ear that helps detect
movement and maintain balance.
The semicircular canals are filled
with fluid, and as we move, it is that
fluid that allows us to detect the
movement and maintain our
balance.
Inner Ear: The Cochlea
auditory nerve
cochlea
The cochlea houses the organ of
Corti.
As sound vibrations move
through the cochlea, they vibrate
the microscopic hair cells found
within the organ of Corti.
The vibrations of these hair cells
trigger the electrical impulses sent
to the brain from the auditory
nerve, allowing us to hear.
From David J. Lim. Functional Structure of the Organ of
Corti: A Review. Hearing Research, 22 (1986) 117-146
Elsevier
NIHL (Noise-Induced Hearing Loss)
Hearing loss as a result of prolonged or sudden exposure to loud noise.
When our ears are exposed to
levels of noise over 85 dB,
the tiny hair cells in our cochlea
can become disorganized and
damaged from too much
and too harsh of vibrations.
Once the hair cells break,
they will NEVER grow back, this
causes hearing loss.
From David J. Lim. Functional Structure of the Organ of Corti: A
Review. Hearing Research, 22 (1986) 117-146 Elsevier
Signs of NIHL
If you think you have a hearing loss, visit an audiologist.
• Muffled hearing or ringing in the ears after you leave a noisy
environment.
o This is temporary noise-induced hearing loss and is a sign
that some damage has been caused to the hair cells in
your ears.
• Trouble hearing certain consonants such as “s,” “sh,” and “t.”
• Difficulty hearing when background noise is present, such as
in a restaurant.
• A constant or intermittent ringing, buzzing, or hissing in your
ear.
o This is called tinnitus.
o Often a symptom accompanying hearing loss.
An Audiologist is…
A state licensed health-care professional that holds
either a doctoral degree or a master’s degree in
audiology from an accredited university.
• Audiologists perform any of the following functions:
o prescribe and fit hearing aids
o assist in cochlear implant programs
o perform ear or hearing-related surgical monitoring
o design and implement hearing conservation programs and
newborn hearing screening programs
o provide hearing rehabilitation training such as
• auditory training
• speech reading
• listening skills improvement
Noise levels or loudness are measured in decibels (dB).
Any loud noise over 85dB is considered loud enough to
cause NIHL.
• 30 dB Whisper
• 60 dB Normal
conversation or a
dishwasher
• 70 dB A vacuum
Cleaner
• 80 dB Alarm Clock
• 90 dB A hair dryer, or
lawn mower
• 100 dB MP3 players at
full volume
• 110 dB Concerts and
sporting events
• 130 dB Ambulance
Levels of
Noise.
3 Ways to Protect
Your Hearing
Walk Away
• If the noise is too loud, you don’t have to be near it, avoid it
walk away.
• Moving back 10 to 15 feet from the noise can reduce the
intensity that is going into your ears.
• Avoiding loud sounds can be a highly effective approach for
protecting your hearing.
o Be aware of how long you have been in a noisy
environment, exposure time also plays a role in NIHL.
Turn It Down
• TVs, car stereos, and MP3 players are often culprits of
dangerously high noises.
• Most volume controls do not have a safety point for when the
(dB) level is too high.
• Turning down the volume will reduce prolonged exposure to
harmful decibels.
o Try to keep the volume at 50%.
o When listening to anything with ear buds or ear phones: if
someone next to you can hear what you are hearing,
it is probably too loud.
Wear Ear Protection
• If you know you are going to be around noise over 85 dB, the
best solution is to wear ear protection.
• Generic earplugs – Must be pushed far in the ear for the best
seal.
• Custom earplugs (made to fit your ear)
See your audiologist for these, similar to what musicians and
pilots wear.
• Earmuffs- must cover the full ear
NOT FASHION EARMUFFS
Look for the NRR rating to know
the approximate decibel reduction
the ear protection provides.
If you think you might have a
hearing loss. Visit
www.HowsYourHearing.org
to find an audiologist in your
local area and set up an
appointment for a hearing
screening.