Hearing Damage

A person exposed to high noise levels can suffer hearing damage. The damage may be gradual or traumatic.

Gradual Hearing Damage

Sustained exposure to moderately high noise levels over a period of time can cause gradual hearing loss. It starts out as a temporary hearing loss, such as immediately after a loud rock concert. The hearing usually restores itself within a few hours after exposure, although not quite to its pre-exposure level. This is also called a temporary threshold shift. The permanent deterioration may be Negligible at first, however, it will become significant after many repetitions of the exposure. The main causes of permanent damage are daily exposure to industrial noise.

Traumatic Hearing Damage

Short and sudden exposure to an extremely high noise level, such as a gun shot or explosion at very close range can cause a traumatic hearing loss. Such a loss is very sudden and can be permanent.

See also: Conductive Hearing Loss, Ear, Hearing, Hearing Protector, Noise Exposure Limits.