Take care of your ears

Do you hear a buzzing sound often? Do you find it hard listening to faint sounds? If you are used to listening to loud music, it is likely that you may have these problems.

Loud music can damage your ears in the long run. “Even daily sounds can damage your hearing in a way that you will only realise much later,” says ENT specialist Dr Akash Bannerjee.

Overexposure to loud noise can make your eardrums thin, eventually breaking them and making you deaf. Dr Bannerjee says the highest sound you should expose your ears to is 125 decibels.

Busy traffic

During maddening traffic, honking increases, tempers rise and noise levels eventually go up. “The noise in traffic can go up to 115 decibels during rush hour. Overexposure to this amount of sound will slowly, but surely impair your ear,” says Dr Deepak Vora, an ENT specialist.

Prolonged mobile phone usage

Keeping your phone volume loud can expose your ear to 100 decibels of noise. Limit phone calls to two minutes. Use the silent mode as much as possible.

Watching movies in theatres

You may think that fancy sound systems in theatres make your movie-going experience better! In reality, most movie theatres create 120 decibels of noise. You may not feel so while watching the movie; but you will feel the effects later.

Music concerts

If you have ever been to a rock concert, you will know what we mean. The noise levels at rock concerts can reach 150 decibels. “Your hearing can be damaged for up to two weeks,” says Dr Bannerjee.

Pubs/discotheques

Noise levels in these places can shoot up to 130 decibels. It could take anywhere between 20-30 minutes to feel a difference in your hearing. The damage is slow, but loud music can also cause the death of hair follicles.

Using earphones

“They can cause maximum damage to your ears. When your ears are closed because of earphones, you are encouraging the growth of bacteria,” says Dr.Vora. This can damage your hearing; starting slowly from the internal parts of your ear.

It is important that you take care to protect your hearing every day. “Wear earmuffs, especially if you are exposed to road repairs,” says Dr Bannerjee. Alternatively, you could use cotton in your ears to rest them periodically. That sure ‘sounds’ good…