For hyperacusis patients, or people who have a sensitivity to everyday sounds, common household sounds can be a significant challenge, whether it’s a door closing or cooking a meal.
Apple Hearing Study Update
The latest update shared the perhaps not unsurprising statistic that an estimated one in three adult Americans are exposed to excessive noise levels, above an annual average of 70 dBA.
Balance Problems? Loud Sounds Could Be a Cause
Have you ever felt dizzy, nauseous, or unsteady on your feet after leaving a loud concert? That could be the balance organ inside your inner ear reacting to the loud sounds.
In Memoriam: Bryan Pollard of Hyperacusis Research
Bryan Pollard single-handedly created an entirely new diagnosis in the field of otology—pain hyperacusis—and worked tirelessly on behalf of those who suffered from it. He would become the most prominent patient-activist and the driving force for promoting research nationally focused on this condition.
Helping Others Has Helped Me
Despite all this, including owning earplugs, it didn’t occur to me until working on the Keep Listening prevention campaign for Hearing Health Foundation how damage to your hearing is cumulative, and that I’ve been doing additional damage to my hearing through some of my daily routines.
Common Loud Noises Cause Fluid Buildup in the Inner Ear—Which May Be Easily Resolved
Researchers discovered that after exposure to 100 decibels, the mice developed inner ear fluid buildup within hours. A week after this exposure, the mice were found to have lost auditory nerve cells. However, when researchers applied hypertonic saline, a salt-based solution used to treat nasal congestion in humans, into the affected mouse ears one hour after the noise exposure, both the immediate fluid buildup and the long-term nerve damage lessened, implying that the hearing loss could be at least partially prevented.
6 Ways to Raise Youth Awareness of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Up to one in five school-aged children (ages 12–19 years) has measurable hearing loss as a result of excessive noise exposure. Noise-induced hearing loss not only affects a child's hearing ability but their academic performance, social interactions, and overall mental health and well-being.
The Blast From Building New York City’s Second Avenue Subway
Eventually, by changing my perspective about the tinnitus sound I’ve been able to arrive at some peace. Also, when I first heard the blast I started painting and have continued on and off for several years. It has pulled me from despair.
Making Peace With the Crickets in My Ears
My tinnitus comes in waves, and I’ve been living with it now for more than six years. In case you don’t know, tinnitus is the sensation of ringing in the ears when an external sound source isn’t actually present.
9 Things to Know About Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)
Noise-induced hearing loss is probably the biggest global public health emergency you’ve never heard of. The World Health Organization (WHO) says 1 of every 5 U.S. teens (ages 12–19) has a measurable hearing loss likely from loud noise.