HearingLoss

The first thing to be aware of is that hearing loss is permanent…

As with most health campaigns, breaking the “it won’t happen to me” mindset is the toughest challenge. That being said, the rest of this page presents information on how hearing loss can occur from loud music.   The Take Action section of the website offers tips on how to take preventative steps which will ensure you can enjoy music for decades to come.

The Facts

Damage to hearing due to noise exposure is a long-term issue.  Usually, hearing damage cannot be attributed to a particular event or activity.  However, over time, the accumulated effect of hours, days and years of exposure all contribute to an individual’s hearing damage and subsequent hearing loss.*

The most vital area for normal hearing is the inner ear or cochlea. It is the area permanently damaged by excessive noise. Very loud sounds make significant vibrations inside the ear that distort and tear the very delicate membranes and structures.**

Clubs/Pubs/Live Music

FACT 1: Noise at 100 decibels can cause damage after 15 minutes.  See ‘How Loud is Loud?’ for more info. Music in nightclubs can range between 91 and 106 decibels, with an average of 98 decibels*

FACT 2: The average noise levels in some nightclubs steadily increase as the night goes on.

FACT 3: In just one year, leisure noise exposure for a young Australian can be almost 3 ½ times greater than the allowable workplace noise exposure.*

FACT 4: Placing cotton wool or rolled tissues in your ears will not protect them from loud noise.  Poorly fitted earplugs also offer little protection – learn how to fit them properly and visit an audiologist.

For more information on the types of hearing loss click here and we’ll take you to Australian Hearing.

Read the 'Binge Listening Report' by Australian Hearing.

The picture below shows healthy vs. damaged hair cells^.  Take Action now to protect your hearing from this irreversible damage.

haircells

*Binge Listening Report (2010), Australian Hearing
**Australian Hearing.com
^Hair Cells picture from: http://www.generationdeaf.com/causesofnihl.html


Take Action

I’ve only got 5 minutes...

  • Take the ringing in your ears seriously.  Once the ringing goes it doesn’t mean the damage has gone as well.  It is an accumulative effect and when you notice it, it will be too late to fix.
  • Visit the ‘How Loud is Loud’ section to understand what decibels of music are dangerous.
  • Tell the club/pub that the music is too loud.  If enough people do this they will turn it down.

I’ve got 1 hour...

  • Buy noise cancelling (over ear) headphones like the ones in the MTME Campaign logo.
  • Spend some time in a quieter space when clubbing to limit exposure to loud music.
  • Buy some earplugs and learn how to fit them properly.

I’ve got 1 day...

  • Visit an audiologist and have musician earplugs fitted.
  • Visit an audiologist and have your hearing checked.
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