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Ever come out of a concert with ringing in your ears wondering if you’ve permanently damaged your hearing? Do you work in a noisy environment and worry about the long term damage on your ears? Are you always having to ask other people to repeat what they’ve said?
It’s easy to just take your hearing for granted, but a lot of what you do while you’re young can have a big impact on the future health of your ears.
How loud is too loud? Generally, experts agree that anything above 85 decibels is “too loud”, says audiologist Louise Dickinson from Acoustix Hearing. But what does “85 decibels” mean exactly? To give you an idea of the decibel (dB) levels generated by different noises, check out the table below:
While the “85 dB” threshold gives a general guide, it also matters how long or often you’re exposed to the noise. Hearing expert Dr Anne Greville says “occasional exposure to loud noises is normally not damaging to hearing, but can be if you’re exposed regularly”. In general, if you’re exposed to noises above 85dB regularly or for more than 8 hours continuously, you need to get some hearing protection.
It pays to be aware of sudden noises too, says Anne. “Some types of sounds are more damaging than others. Impact noises like hammering and impulse noises like gunfire are too fast-acting for the ear to protect itself against and are worse than steady noises. Also high-pitched noises are more damaging than low-pitched noises.”
Think you might have a problem? While more men than women suffer from hearing loss, with one in ten New Zealanders experiencing hearing related issues it’s essential to get your ears checked out if they’re of concern to you. Anne recommends seeing an audiologist who is a Member of the NZ Audiological Society (MNZAS). To find an MNZAS audiologist in your area, click here.
Note: You don’t need to be referred by your GP to see an audiologist. If you are worried you have a hearing problem but also have symptoms of other medical problems, it’s best to see your GP first. Your GP may then refer you to an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Specialist.
What does an audiologist do? When you go to an audiologist, they’ll usually recommend a hearing test which costs about $80. Some hearing clinics also perform free hearing screenings, which are a quick way to see if you have a hearing problem or not (see below for an exclusive offer for nzgirls from Acoustix Hearing). These screenings involve testing your ears at 4 frequencies (500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz) and if a problem shows up, a full hearing test is recommended. If you’re on a really tight budget, visit your local Hearing Association for a cheaper hearing test. The Hearing Association in Wellington, for example, charges only $30. But do check what you get for your money.
At a private clinic like Acoustix Hearing in Auckland, a full hearing assessment is done using specialised equipment covering:
How well you hear sounds (the experts call this “testing of pure tone audiometry”);
How well your middle-ear functions (“immittance audiometry”– the “mechanical” hearing part); and
How well you hear and understand phonetically balanced words (“speech testing”).
Protect your ears If you really care about your ears, there are things you can do right away to protect them:
If you’re an iPod user, set the volume so that you can still hear someone talk. This is usually about 50-60% of the maximum level. Anne also suggests taking a break for about 10 minutes every hour. You can also invest in custom-made iPod earmoulds. These reduce background noise interference with the music and significantly lower the volume desired for listening. (Check below to find out how to get $20.00 off a pair)
The next time you’re at a club or concert, don’t stand too close to the DJ console or speakers. If you must (e.g. if you are a musician), use custom-molded musician-hearing protectors with broadband filters. These reduce the music to safe levels without distortion. I generally carry low-cost earplugs to concerts. Earplugs are sold in most pharmacies.
When listening to loud music at home, position your speakers so they project away from the direct path of your ears.
When operating noisy machinery e.g. when using a leaf blower in the garden or when you’re hammering nails, use earmuffs. You can buy these from most hardware stores.
For those who love DIY projects, pop into a hearing clinic to get custom-molded hearing protectors to reduce excessive noise levels to a safe level. They are small, comfy, and practical in small and confined spaces.
If your workplace is noisy, ask your employer about hearing-loss protection. Your employer has a legal duty under the Health and Safety in Employment Act to provide hearing protection for employees exposed to noises above 85 decibels. Some workplaces also offer free hearing tests e.g. manufacturing companies, airlines and call centres.
If you work in a pub or club, get custom-molded hearing protectors that reduce loud music and other excessive noise (like the sound of empty bottles breaking) to a safe level. They are durable and discrete in appearance. Check if your employer is willing to cover or contribute a portion towards the expense.
Last but not least, exercise! Exercise gets more oxygen-rich blood pumped to distant small areas like your inner ears.
Christine Martin
Acoustix Hearing Limited 09 522 9240, 437 Remuera Road (next to the library), Remuera, Auckland acoustix@paradise.net.nz
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damaging than low-pitched noises.”
When you go to an audiologist, they’ll usually recommend a hearing test which costs about $80. Some hearing clinics also perform free hearing screenings, which are a quick way to see if you have a hearing problem or not (see below for an exclusive offer for nzgirls from Acoustix Hearing). These screenings involve testing your ears at 4 frequencies (500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz) and if a problem shows up, a full hearing test is recommended. If you’re on a really tight budget, visit your local Hearing Association for a cheaper hearing test. The Hearing Association in Wellington, for example, charges only $30. But do check what you get for your money. 
If you really care about your ears, there are things you can do right away to protect them: 
When listening to loud music at home, position your speakers so they project away from the direct path of your ears.
