In our last blog post, we discussed strategies for hearing protection to prevent noise-induced hearing loss. This week, let’s talk more about signs of noise-induced hearing loss and when to take action before it becomes permanent.
What Is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?
Noise-induced hearing loss, also known as NIHL, is one of the most common forms of hearing loss, affecting approximately 24% of U.S. adults. As the name suggests, NIHL occurs when exposure to loud noise causes damage to your ears and the ability to hear.
NIHL can happen after a one-time loud noise—such as a gunshot or fireworks—or with prolonged exposure to loud noise—such as a noisy work environment with constant machine noise. It can affect anyone at any age, and it can affect one ear or both ears, with symptoms ranging from temporary to permanent. It all depends on the noise.
What Are the Early Symptoms of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?
Some of the most common early warning signs of NIHL include:
- Muffled or distorted hearing
- A feeling of fullness or pressure in your ears
- Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds
- Sensitivity to loud sounds
- Difficulty hearing background noise
- Difficulty hearing conversations in a crowd
- Tinnitus
If you were recently exposed to an isolated loud noise or went to a loud event, you may notice symptoms of NIHL up to 24 hours later. Often, these symptoms are temporary and resolve within a day or two; however, even if your hearing returns to normal, lasting damage may have been done.
In many cases, NIHL develops gradually due to prolonged noise exposure, which can make symptoms difficult to notice at first. This is why being proactive with early detection is key: leaving NIHL untreated when it’s in its developing stages will make the problem worse down the line as hearing loss becomes more pronounced.
When to See an Audiologist
If you’ve noticed early signs of NIHL, or if you’ve been exposed to loud noise and you’re concerned about its effect on your hearing, it’s a great idea to visit a hearing health professional for a hearing test. By getting a hearing test done in the early stages, you can slow or even halt the progression of NIHL by making a treatment plan with your hearing health professional to prevent further damage. Charleston ENT & Allergy is available for hearing tests, and we’re happy to start this journey with you. Call today to schedule an appointment.