How loud is too loud?
It is well known that loud noise can irreversibly damage your hearing when the delicate hair cells in the cochlea are exposed to high-intensity sounds, causing them to bend, swell and die.
Damage can occur either due to continuous exposure to loud sounds or following a single extremely loud event such as a firework exploding. With Bonfire Night and New Years Eve just around the corner, should you be considering protecting the hearing of your family?
Fireworks are incredibly loud, typically reaching 120 decibels, depending on the type of firework. This is equivalent to a rock concert or the takeoff volume of a jet engine. Exposure at this level can cause instant hearing damage, with children being more at risk than adults due to the increased sensitivity of their ears.
Enjoy firework celebrations by protecting your hearing and that of your loved ones either by using hearing protection if you enjoy the louder displays, or by looking for silent or low noise fireworks. Not only will your ears appreciate these quieter displays, but so will your pets.
Written by Lynne Leeming, Audiologist at Charnwood Hearing Aid Centre Ltd
