The Growing Threat of Hearing Loss

The Growing Threat of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is quickly growing into a widespread issue, impacting young and old alike. According to a recent study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, forty million American adults have lost some hearing because of noise, with half of the having suffered the damage outside the workplace.

sound level decibel chartThe study, recently reported in an article published in The Washington Post, found that 24% of Americans aged 20-69 have some hearing deficits. The hearing loss is the result of “audiometric notches” – a deterioration in the softest sound a person can hear – in one or both ears. An additional result of the study found that more than half of those with levels of hearing loss said they had no regular exposure to loud noise at work. This would indicate that other environmental factors would be to blame.

Outside of the industrial setting, the federal government has no regulations concerning exposure to sound at certain levels. Environments such as extended exposure to running a lawn mower or leaf blower, a crowded sporting event, a rock concert, or even a noisy classroom setting can contribute to hearing loss in a surprisingly short period. The CDC study revealed that 19 percent of people between the ages of 20 and 29 had some hearing loss. This is an alarming statistic, considering hearing loss is degenerative, worsening with age.

Hearing loss is now the third most common chronic physical condition in the United States and is twice as common as diabetes or cancer.

Certain standards were created for the industrial-type workplace by public health authorities years ago, citing the need to protect hearing from machinery, equipment, and other generators of loud noise in such environments. Methods of “deadening” the noise has come a great distance in more effectively protecting from hearing loss.

One way to combat hearing loss in a workplace or larger environment is through the use of sound technologies such as sound blankets, barriers, enclosures, and other types of acoustic treatments. These products deaden the sound, lessen the overall noise levels, and lead to healthier long-term environments. eNoise Control provides these types of treatments in a variety of settings all over the United States. From the industrial workplace, to gymnasiums, classrooms, and larger gathering spaces, eNoise Control provides technologies and treatments that have been proven to reduce noise levels. Not only does this have the health benefits of protecting and shielding from hearing loss, it also creates quieter environments that are more conducive to conversation, learning, and general sustainability, leading to more satisfied employees and clients.