REHAB CORNER
EXCESSIVE noise produced by drilling, sawing and hammering, machines and engines is  the most common occupational hazard. Hazardous noise is also found outside the workplace, e.g.  loud music  from loud speakers or headphones, explosions  such as gun shots and fire crackers.
Loud music can cause temporary and permanent hearing loss.

The sensitive structures in our inner ear can be damaged, causing noise-induced hearing loss.  These sensitive structures called hair cells are tiny sensory cells that convert sound energy into electrical impulses that travel to the brain. Once damaged, our hair cells cannot grow back.

If a noise is so loud that you have to shout to make yourself heard which happens a lot when you go to a party or concert, over time the mechanism of the inner ear will be damaged. Noise induced hearing loss can occur at any age. It is  a very preventable condition. You should therefore take steps to protect your ear against damaging levels of noise.

If you have ever been to a party or concert where loud music was played, you may have experienced a temporary threshold shift. This temporary loss of hearing can become permanent if exposure is done on a regular basis.

If this happens, you will never hear fully again. The only solution then will be to be fitted with a hearing aid, which is not an attractive prospect for anyone, especially a teenager. One way to tell that you have been exposed to excessive noise is that you tend to hear a ringing in your ears which is called tinnitus; this is often a side effect of noise-induced hearing loss.

The first signs of noise induced hearing loss are: Difficulty hearing a conversation against a noisy background and tinnitus. The higher frequencies goes first so you might have difficulty hearing high pitched voices. Loss of high frequency hearing makes words sound alike, especially those containing the high frequency sounds S or soft C, F, SH, CH, or H.

Words like hill, fill and sill may sound alike. Watch your hearing, your ears are very delicate. Protect them or just turn it down!

Noise induced hearing loss is 100% preventable. All individuals should understand the hazards of noise and how to practice ‘good hearing health’ in everyday life.

To protect your hearing, employers should be required to provide conditions for their employees to work in an environment in which they are not exposed to noise equal to or exceeding a sound pressure level of 85 dBA without appropriate hearing protection.

These hearing protectors exist in different forms, such as ear muffs, ear plugs and custom-made ear moulds. Some ear moulds contain filter that allows speech to pass through. Hearing protectors should fit well and be worn consistently. There should also be a system of regular hearing screening.

Awareness of the bad effects of social as well as occupational noise should be raised amongst the public and those with a higher risk of exposure.

Stereos and other amplifying devices used in homes, at social events or in vehicles should be kept to a moderate level, allowing persons to be able to talk and be heard over the music.

For those who wear head phones, e.g., IPods, the volume is too loud if a person standing near a listener can hear the music through the head phone.

If you suspect hearing loss, have a hearing test done.

In Guyana, over the years, the Ministry of Health has implemented and provided services of audiology testing and screening  at the GPHC and some hospitals in the regions, where patients are seen on a daily basis, for hearing testing. Adults, children  and even newborn babies are tested. For more information contact us at the GPHC Audiology department.