Prolonged loud noise can do more damage than you may think — it is a far more common cause of hearing loss than age. Noise causes hearing loss by damaging hair cells in the inner ear that convert the sounds you hear from sound energy into electrical signals that travel to the brain. Once damaged, the hair cells cannot grow back, causing permanent damage.
The intensity of sound is measured in units called decibels (dB). Hearing loss can result from prolonged exposure to any loud noise over 85 dB or sudden exposure to loud sounds like explosions. To give you an idea of how easy it is for everyday noise to cause damage, refer to the chart below.
| 60 dB | Conversation Dishwashers |
| 80 dB | Alarm Clocks |
| 90 dB | Hair Dryers Blenders Lawnmowers |
| 100 dB | MP3 players at full volume |
| 110 dB | Concerts Car Racing Sporting Events |
| 120 dB | Jet Engines |
| 130 dB | Ambulance Sirens |
| 140 dB | Gun Shots Fireworks |
If you think you have hearing loss, call (804) 937-EARS (3277) to schedule a hearing evaluation today or request an appointment online.
Source: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)