Transcripts

Mike Carruthers:
One in ten of us suffer from hearing loss and often it's a result of exposure to loud noises.|

Audiologist Dr. Rose Bongiovanni:
Most experts would agree that anything that's louder than about 85 decibels can cause hearing loss - that's about the sound intensity of a vacuum cleaner.

Audiologist Dr. Rose Bongiovanni, Spokesperson for Widex, a hearing technology company, says it's important to note that hearing loss from exposure to loud noises is subtle and doesn't necessarily mean a loss in volume. It's the inability to hear certain frequencies so you can hear people talking - you just can't understand what they're saying.

It's not like you're deaf, it's not like you're not hearing anything; we're talking about a loss of clarity. I liken it to turning forty, which I'm past that, and I have to wear progressive lenses on my eyeglasses because my arms aren't long enough - it's not because I can't see. And the same type of phenomenon happens with our ears, so it becomes easy to push it aside and deny and say, "If people spoke clearly I wouldn't have a problem." - things of that nature.

It's recommended that after the age of forty-five, people get their hearing checked every year and the big recommendation is stay away from loud noise.

If you're trying to carry on a conversation in the presence of noise and you can't hear yourself or the person you're trying to converse with, it's too loud.

You can link to the Widex website from ours: somethingyoushouldknow.net I'm Mike Carruthers and that's Something You Should Know.