NOISE
By Karen Bauman

Each day, more than 20 million Americans are exposed to a dangerous type of pollution—Noise. 

Although noise pollution can’t muddy the rivers or darken skies, its effects can be quite serious.  Regular exposure to loud noises can cause damage to the inner ear and result in a permanent loss of hearing. 
    
When sounds enter the ear as vibrations of air molecules, they are transferred to very delicate hair cells.  These cells are located in the organ of Corti which converts sound from mechanical energy into electrical impulses that are then carried to the brain.
    
Loud sounds such as blaring music or noisy machinery can permanently destroy hair cells and result in severe hearing loss.  Dangerous noise levels that can affect a person’s hearing are common in a factory, on the street and even at home. 

Detection of Hearing Loss

Noise-induced hearing loss is often hard to detect since the process is slow and painless.  In fact, most people don’t even notice a hearing problem until they discover ringing in their ears or have difficulty understanding speech.  Even then, many people are embarrassed to admit they have a hearing problem.  Some deny it.  Others accept it as an inevitable part of aging.  Since hearing loss can affect a person’s work and social interactions, it’s important that people have their hearing evaluated by a professionally trained and certified audiologist.  
    
Audiologists specialize in identifying, assessing, preventing and treating hearing impairment.  They also play a key role in the prevention of noise induced hearing loss by lobbying for state and national noise standards and developing hearing conservation programs in schools and industries. 

Noise in the Workplace
    
Continued exposure to more than 85 decibels of noise (slightly lower than the noise level of a lawn mower) can cause permanent damage to hearing.  This places many industrial workers at a high risk of experiencing some type of hearing loss.  Therefore, federal regulations require that hearing conservation programs are established to test employee’s hearing, ensure appropriate hearing protectors are provided and used correctly (such as earplugs and earmuffs).

Noise in the Home
    
Sometimes, noises in the home can be as dangerous as those in the work place or on the street.  Some household appliances such as the blender, dishwasher, electric mixer, stove fan and vacuum cleaner, all generate noises loud enough to cause hearing loss.  A more recent concern is with the volume of personal audio devices that plug into your ears. To help reduce the nose level in the home, the following precautions should be taken: 

• When purchasing appliances check their decibel (dB) or loudness ratings.  Ratings can be checked in consumer publications. 

• Don’t purchase children’s toys with high noise levels, and examine the toys your children already have.  Remember that children often hold loud toys close to their ears, subjecting themselves to dangerous noises that adults would find painful.  Discard any toys that are suspect. 

• Use volume limiting earbuds now available for use with your or your child’s personal audio devices. These special earbuds keep the volume at a safe level no matter how high the device volume is turned up.  
    
If you or someone you know suspect hearing loss, or if you want to know more about how to protect yourself from the dangers of noise, please call Karen Bauman at
Sound Advice, 856-205-1009.

HOW LOUD IS LOUD?
     0-10 decibels (dB):  a pin drop                         
        20 decibels (dB):  a whisper                                                                    
        50 decibels (dB):  Normal Conversation
        70 decibels (dB):  Traffic or crowded restaurant noise, loud but not harmful
90-100 decibels (dB):  Lawn mower, loud music, MP3 players @ full volume,-over time can cause hearing damage
      120 decibels (dB):  Speakers at a rock concert.  This can cause permanent hearing loss.
      140 decibels (dB):  Fireworks, Gun shots, Custom Car Stereos at full volume

Generally, anything over 85 decibels (dB) for extended periods of time has the potential to cause hearing damage.  In these situations ear protection should be utilized, exposure should be limited or avoided. 

For the past 22 years Karen Bauman has worked as a certified Audiologist in Cumberland County, spending the last 15 of these years in private practice.  Her practice, Sound Advice Audiology and Hearing Aid Center, LLC is located on Karin Street in Vineland, New Jersey.   Since graduating from Temple University with her Master’s Degree she has enjoyed the rewards and challenges of the hearing health care field.  She is excited about the current and forthcoming technology available to treat those with hearing loss.Karen is a member of the American Speech, Language, Hearing Association, the American Academy of Audiology and the New Jersey Hearing Health Professionals.  She is also a member of the Vineland Rotary Club which enables her to participate in community and humanitarian service at local and international levels. Karen was born and raised in Vineland, although she now resides in Pittsgrove with her husband, Michael, and son Alec.  When not at Sound Advice Karen likes to read, exercise, spend time with family and friends and focus on health as a part time representative for the most thoroughly researched name brand nutritional product on the market today.