Noise and Hearing Loss

Noise is a fact of life, yet it is something that can damage hearing, and it can make it difficult for a child with hearing loss to learn. Everyone's hearing needs protection from noise. There are ways to protect your hearing and conserve what is left if you have experienced hearing loss. Plus, there are ways to reduce noise interference for deaf and hard of hearing children in the classroom.

Causes of Noise-Related Hearing Loss

Teenagers

Is your teenager listening to a boom box or an iPod turned up high? Years from now, your teenager may pay a price with lost hearing, as seen in Teenagers and Hearing Loss. See also the blog post Coming of the iPod Generation. I once went to a rock concert as a teenager and left saying "never again" because it was so loud!

Working Adults

We all need to earn a living, but some of us have jobs that put our hearing at risk. If you are in a job that risks your hearing (occupational hearing loss), you should know that the Federal government has rules for conserving your hearing. About.com readers have also shared their experiences with losing hearing due to their jobs.

Veterans With Hearing Loss

One occupational group especially at risk for hearing loss, is military veterans. See Bombing and Deafness to learn how exposure to bombs can cause hearing loss.

Noise-Related Articles

Protection of Hearing from Noise

Both children and adults need protection from noise-induced hearing loss. Fortunately, there are guidelines available for hearing protection.

Reducing Noise for Children with Hearing Loss

Children with hearing loss can have difficulty hearing - and learning - in classrooms with background noise. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce background noise for a hard of hearing child, through the use of Classroom Acoustics. For an example, see the blog post, "Tennis Balls Not Just for Play," which is about the use of tennis balls to reduce background noise.

Extreme Sensitivity to Noise

Some people with hearing loss actually have a heightened sensitivity to noise. It results from noise destroying nerve endings in the ear, which in turn increases hearing loss. Plus, that sensitivity can literally make them sick. It is called hyperacusis.