| Noise-induced hearing loss is on the rise among the | | | | for Rockers (HEAR) reports that 86 percent of |
| young. Some 65 percent of those with hearing | | | | musicians and music fans experience hearing problems |
| problems are below retirement age. Audiologists | | | | after a concert. |
| believe that part of the problem is the number of | | | | Chicago Tribune August 14, 2005 (Registration |
| gadgets that send amplified sound directly into the ear | | | | Required) |
| canal, such as cell phones and MP3 players. | | | | Dr. Mercola's Comment: |
| Loud Noises Damage Cilia | | | | The methods of preventing this kind of hearing loss |
| Sound is created when noise beats against the | | | | are mostly common sense:Limit your exposure to |
| eardrum and the vibrations stimulate nerves deep | | | | noisy activities, andtake breaks of silence to |
| inside the ear. There, fine hair cells called cilia convert | | | | recuperate. Turn down the volume of your MP3 |
| the vibrations into nerve impulses, which are | | | | player. Avoid drugs that can impair your |
| transmitted to the brain. | | | | hearing.Researchers have also found that vitamin E |
| Continued exposure to noise of 85 decibels or more | | | | can aid in the prevention and restoration of hearing |
| will eventually destroy the fragile hair cells in the inner | | | | loss. A study found that hearing loss patients who |
| ear that convert sound vibrations into nerve impulses -- | | | | received a treatmentthat included taking vitamin E had |
| the basis of hearing. The volume of portable compact | | | | a 75 percent hearing recovery rate, whereas those |
| disc players ranges between 91 and 121 decibels, and | | | | who received the same treatment without the vitamin |
| earphones increase the volume. European iPods have | | | | E had only a 45 percent recovery rate. Another good |
| a legal upper limit of 100 decibels, but there is no such | | | | way to care for the health of your ears is to use the |
| limit in the United States. | | | | Clenzology Advanced Hygiene System's Ear Solution, |
| Damage Happens Quickly | | | | which cleans the ear canal and reduces the building of |
| The louder the noise, the quicker the hearing loss. For | | | | excess ear wax. The ear solution can be used |
| instance, 100-decibel stereo headphones can cause | | | | anytime and is ideal for maintaining optimal health. |
| harm in two hours, and a 120-decibel rock concert | | | | Related Articles: |
| damages the ears in only 7.5 minutes. The musicians' | | | | Hard of Hearing? |
| advocacy group Hearing Education and Awareness | | | | |