SPHR 2108 Lecture Notes - Lecture 23: Hyperacusis, Tinnitus, Hair Cell
14 May 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
What is it?
Causes
Sources of exposure to loud noise:
● Heavy traffic noise
● Music louder than 65 dB on headphones/at concerts
● Noisy workplace
○ Air traffic controllers
○ Car factories
○ Auto shops
○ Occupational excessive noise exposure in the workplace
■ Legal standards and guidelines for employers to protect workers’ ears & provide a safe
environment.
Causes
Length of exposure:
● May occur gradually over many years of exposure
● Maximum losses typically occur after 10-15 years of chronic exposure
● Continuous noise is more damaging than intermittent noise
Symptoms
● Clients do not notice symptoms until it is either too late or symptoms are causing
issues/discomfort.
● Increasing the volume on their television or radio
● Muffled/distorted sounds
○ Saying “what?” or “huh?” during normal conversation
○ Difficulty understanding speech
■ Especially in noisy environments
○ Higher frequency speech sounds are harder to hear
Symptoms Continued….
● Hyperacusis
● Tinnitus
● Children may experience academic and social challenges
○ Participation in conversation is difficult and, can lead to social isolation.
Prevalence and Populations
-At least 10 million adults in the US (under the age of 70) and approximately 40 million adults
worldwide have features that suggest noise-induced hearing loss
-17% of teens (between the ages of 12-19) have features suggestive of NIHL
-Genetic factors may make some individuals more susceptible than others
-NIHL is more prevalent in males, smokers, and certain races
-One is more at risk if he/she has a poor diet, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and/or
concomitant exposure to carbon dioxide/hydrogen cyanide
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Music louder than 65 db on headphones/at concerts. Occupational excessive noise exposure in the workplace. Legal standards and guidelines for employers to protect workers" ears & provide a safe environment. May occur gradually over many years of exposure. Maximum losses typically occur after 10-15 years of chronic exposure. Continuous noise is more damaging than intermittent noise. Clients do not notice symptoms until it is either too late or symptoms are causing issues/discomfort. Increasing the volume on their television or radio. Saying what? or huh? during normal conversation. Higher frequency speech sounds are harder to hear. Children may experience academic and social challenges. Participation in conversation is difficult and, can lead to social isolation. At least 10 million adults in the us (under the age of 70) and approximately 40 million adults worldwide have features that suggest noise-induced hearing loss. 17% of teens (between the ages of 12-19) have features suggestive of nihl.
