Host Kevin O’Connor meets with an audiologist to talk about the importance of preserving your hearing before learning about the different hearing protection options.
The Dangers of Sound-Induced Hearing Disorders
There are many different types of hearing loss, but sound-induced hearing loss and disorders are the ones that most affect the crew at Ask This Old House. The loud noises the team is exposed to from tools, vehicles, and general labor can lead to hearing loss or disorders like tinnitus, which causes a ringing in the ears.
What Causes These Disorders?
Dr. Taddei explained that we have around 15,000 specialized cells inside each ear. Loud noises damage these cells, and unfortunately, they don’t repair themselves, nor are there any pharmaceutical repair solutions. Once they’re damaged, they remain that way, leading to hearing loss and hearing disorders.
Decibel Range Explained
Dr. Taddei explained that we use a decibel range between 0 and around 120 to 130 decibels as our base range. Zero decibels is about the quietest sound we can hear without hearing damage, and 120 to 130 is considered a pain threshold. NIOSH, or the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, states we have about 15 minutes of exposure at that high level before we’ve exhausted our capacity for the day.
The Biggest Offenders on a Construction Site
Everyone knows that tools make noise, but which tools pose the biggest risk to the typical DIYer or contractor? A miter saw will generate over 100 decibels, while a power drill will generate around 85 decibels. But, a hammer strike can generate upwards of 130 decibels, and even though it’s a short burst, levels that high are very dangerous.
What Can You Do?
We still have a job to do, so what are our options? There are multiple types of hearing protection available, including over-the-ear muff-style hearing protection and foam earplugs. Even standard Bluetooth earbuds can be quite helpful. Many hearing protection products also feature with active protection, which allow the wearer to hear normally but instantly reduces sound levels to protect against noise exposure.
So, Which Hearing Protection is Best?
While hearing protection does vary in quality, Dr. Taddei says he believes the best hearing protection is the one you’ll wear and have wth you. He suggests getting a small metal contained for your keychain and keeping a set of ear plugs in there. If you’re every at a concert or a loud restaurant, you’ll be able to protect your hearing.
Resources
Guest expert: Steve Taddei Au.D.
Additional assistance provided by: HearAdvisor
Steve used the NIOSH SLM phone app to measure sound levels with his phone. He also recommends Decibel X. While phone apps aren’t perfectly accurate, they can give you a good enough measurement of sound levels.
LAeq is the best setting to use for estimating exposure as it follows our perception of sound. Using dB A-weighting, or dbA, is also good.
Hearing Protection:
