New CDC Report on Hearing Loss
Noisy industries such as construction and manufacturing have notoriously been known to contribute to hearing loss, but according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), many adults who have hearing loss are not exposed to loud noises on the job.
Approximately, 40 million adults in the United States between the ages of 20 through 69 have hearing damage in one or both ears that may be due to noise exposure, states the report. However, 53 percent of those surveyed did not report exposure to loud noises at work. Common household activities such as mowing the lawn or using a leaf blower can also contribute to hearing loss. Frequent exposure to loud sounds can cause irreversible hearing damage; it’s not always caused by a one-time loud event.
In order to prevent hearing loss, the CDC recommends:
- Avoiding noisy places whenever possible
- Stepping away from the source of the loud sound, if you must be in a noisy environment
- Trying to minimize the time exposed to the loud noise
- Using ear plugs, protective ear muffs or noise-canceling headphones whenever possible
- Keeping the volume at a reasonable level while listening to the radio or TV
Most importantly, those who have been exposed to loud noises – even if it’s just from mowing the lawn all summer – should schedule a comprehensive hearing exam. An audiologist can evaluate where one’s level of hearing is currently and track changes throughout the years.