Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Rock concerts, loud movies, and urban living can all take a toll on your hearing. You risk losing hearing when exposed to sounds at 85 decibels or more, which is about the same sound level as a kitchen blender or hair dryer.
On February 23, health news website MyHealthNewsDaily published a report on what sounds put your ears at risk. The louder the noise and longer you are exposed to it, the greater your risk.
Here's a quick list of decibels levels that you may be exposed to:
30 dB = library
50 dB = rain
60 dB = normal conversation
70 dB = vacuum cleaner
80 dB = busy street
90 dB = shop tools
100 dB = chain saw
110 dB = rock music (in the audience)
120 dB = rock music (as a performer)
130 dB = jackhammer
140 dB = air raid siren
While most everyone's hearing diminishes as they age, prevention is key to protecting your ears. Here is advice from MyHealthNewsDaily:
- Avoid exposure to noise when possible.
- When you can't avoid noise, wear earplugs, which can stop 25 dB of sound. Cotton in your ears doesn't work.
- You can cut down noise in the home with rubber mats under appliances and carpets on floors. Drapes on windows help keep outside noise from coming into your home.
- Turn down the volume on TVs, radios, music sound systems and portable MP3 players. Be especially careful to keep the volume down if you wear ear buds.
- Don't sit near speakers at concerts, dances or weddings.
- Look for noise ratings when buying any product that creates sound, such as a hair dryer. Choose quieter models.
Read more:
http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/hearing-loss-loud-music-aging-healthy-1199/
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/ruler.asp
More tips on creating a quieter home: http://www.noisyplanet.nidcd.nih.gov/parents/pages/athome.aspx
Is your love of music costing you your hearing? Watch this video for tips:
http://www.howcast.com/videos/391351-How-To-Avoid-Mp3-Hearing-Loss
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments