Protect your hearing

Fireworks. Motocross races. Concerts.

Summer is full of noisy events that could cause hearing loss, yet few people protect their ears.

“I see — almost on a daily basis — people who have hearing loss due to noise exposure,” said Shane Dodge, a licensed audiologist with Wyoming Otolaryngology in Casper. “As much as we know about it, people aren’t taking the proper steps to protect their hearing.”

Noise-induced hearing loss can occur with one-time exposure to a very loud sound, such as a blast or impulse, or by listening to loud sound during an extended period, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It estimates that 17 percent of adults ages 20 to 69 and 12.5 percent of youth ages 6 to 19 have suffered permanent damage to their hearing from excessive exposure to noise.

Symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss are muffled or distorted hearing, difficulty hearing sounds such as birds singing, crickets chirping, alarm clocks, telephones and doorbells, difficulty understanding speech over the phone or in a group, and pain or ringing in the ears after exposure to excessively loud sound, according to the CDC.

If you are having trouble hearing or notice changes in your hearing, see a doctor, Dodge said.

However, by taking the proper precautions, noise-induced hearing loss can be prevented.

For example, when attending outdoor concerts or sporting events, it may help to walk farther away from the noise source.

Listening to headphones too loud can also cause

noise-induced hearing loss. In general, volume should be set at a level that one can hear over.

“If you can’t hear anything in your environment, if your ears ring or hurt, then it’s time to turn it down,” Dodge said.

Otherwise, Dodge suggests wearing ear plugs in loud environments. Earplugs come in a variety of styles that offer different levels of protection at different price points.

Disposable, foam ear plugs are an affordable option. They come in a variety of sizes and are often safe to use in children and infants. Most brands reduce the noise level to 29 to 33 decibels. Ten pairs cost less than $5 at most drug stores. Keep a bag of them on hand at concerts, festivals and other events to protect your family’s hearing, as needed.

Custom ear plugs are also available for those who are frequently around loud sound, such as musicians, hunters or target shooters. They offer more protection than foam earplugs, and some models allow some sound through.

Summer is also prime time for sudden hearing loss, in which one’s ability to hear is greatly reduced in a 72-hour period.

Sudden hearing loss may be caused by disease, circulatory problems or other inner ear problems such as trauma, according to the American Hearing Research Foundation.

“(If you have sudden hearing loss) don’t wait to see a doctor,” said Cheryl Drost, doctor of audiology with Wyoming Otolaryngology in Cas-per. “There is a window of opportunity, and once it’s gone, it’s gone.”

Carol Seavey is editor of Live Well Wyoming magazine. Contact her at 307-266-0544 or carol.seavey@trib.com.