People with good hearing often underestimate the impact of hearing loss on daily life. Communication, safety cues like car sounds and alarms, and the enjoyment of entertainment hinge on hearing. While sudden loud noises are recognized as harmful, continuous exposure to softer sounds, known as noise pollution, can also cause lasting damage. Like other types of pollution, the effects are gradual and may go unnoticed until significant harm occurs.
Our brains filter information to help us function, focusing on essential details for daily tasks and safety. Constant, non-threatening noises are tuned out, allowing attention to shift to immediate concerns. Though the brain may dismiss these sounds, our ears still pick up vibrations. You can take some steps to minimize noise pollution in your home.
1. Outer Defenses
Build a tall fence or hedge, or plant trees along your property line. These barriers can disrupt the sound wave before it gets to you and insulate you from the noise.
2. Seal Your Home
Unsealed windows, single-pane windows, and cracked walls offer less resistance to sound waves. Use sealant or caulking to plug cracks or holes and upgrade windows for a quieter home.
3. Install Insulation
Insulation helps with temperature changes and can weaken sound as it tries to penetrate your home. Most modern construction includes insulation in the walls for energy efficiency. If it doesn’t, or if you have an uninsulated attic or roof, you can add insulation to lower your energy bill and increase the peace in your home.
4. Inside The Home
You can also protect your hearing from common noisemakers in the home.
- Install energy-efficient appliances as they tend to operate more quietly.
- If appliances vibrate loudly, install foam or a vibration-resistant platform.
- Wear ear protection when using power tools in the home.
- Keep the TV and music at moderate volume levels.
5. What If The Noise Is Unavoidable?
Noise can be unavoidable. Giving your ears a break to recover afterward will help stave off hearing loss for as long as possible.
Find a quiet place and noise-canceling headphones for a little mini retreat. If you don’t like silence, you can find YouTube videos with gentle white noise, like rain or a babbling brook, to help you relax. Keep the volume low and block out the world for a few minutes.
6. What Do I Do If I Get A Ringing In My Ears Or Hearing Loss?
Tinnitus has many causes, and treating the underlying cause can possibly reverse the damage. If, however, hearing loss and tinnitus are caused by noise pollution, trauma, or other irreversible damage, then you can manage the symptoms for tinnitus relief. Here are some helpful tips:
- Supplements for tinnitus, including high-grade ginkgo biloba, have proven effective.
- Sometimes, nutritional deficiencies cause or worsen tinnitus. Ask your medical team about vitamins to help tinnitus.
- Certain foods can worsen symptoms.
You can’t always control the noise level in your neighborhood, but there are steps you can take to protect your home and hearing. Prevention is the best option when it comes to hearing loss.
source: https://www.tinnitusformula.com/library/is-noise-pollution-damaging-your-hearing/
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