{"id":940,"date":"2018-10-29T11:18:28","date_gmt":"2018-10-29T03:18:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.soundlife.com.my\/?p=940"},"modified":"2025-04-30T12:28:33","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T04:28:33","slug":"what-is-noise-induced-hearing-loss-nihl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.soundlife.com.my\/en\/what-is-noise-induced-hearing-loss-nihl\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Noise-Induced Hearing Loss also known as NIHL<\/b><\/h2>

We are being bombarded by loud noises everyday. While we are being exposed to the environment filled with sounds and noises such as television, radio, household appliances, smartphones and traffic. Normally, these sounds are at safe level that don\u2019t damage our hearing. But any sound can be harmful and be detrimental when they are too loud, even for a very brief of time or loud and long-lasting. Our sensitive inner ear structure (hair cells) can be damaged by these sounds and cause noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL<\/b>).<\/p>

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How Does it Happen?<\/b><\/h2>

NIHL can be caused by a one-time exposure to an intense \u201cimpulse\u201d sound, such as an explosion or firecracker, or by continuous exposure to loud sounds over an extended period, such as noise generated in a machine factory. Even your hobby and some recreational activities can put you at risk for NIHL, such as listening to music at high volume, attending loud concerts, or using woodworking tools. If noise exposure is infrequent, hearing may recover after resting. But, chronic noise exposure that is loud enough to cause ringing in the ears (often called tinnitus) can eventually lead to permanent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).<\/p>

You may have a hard time noticing NIHL because it can take a longer time to develop unless you are exposed to impact and very high levels of noise (> 130dba), at which then you may experience sudden hearing loss as a result of acoustic trauma. NIHL is 100% preventable; however, once acquired, it is permanent and irreversible.<\/span> Typically, after a loud noise exposure, people may experience only temporary (hearing) threshold shift (TTS), \u00a0but at some point, the injury may become a permanent threshold shift (PTS). You’ll be surprise for this type of hearing loss, regardless of the frequency of the noise that caused it, most of the hearing tests result suggest NIHL typically affects at higher frequency region in one or both ears, which usually begins audiometrically at 3000-6000 Hz without affecting the lower frequency region at the beginning of the stage. \u00a0If you are starting to become aware that you have difficulty understanding what others\u2019 trying to say, listening on the phone or need a louder volume than usual when you’re watching TV, you might have hearing loss.<\/span><\/p>

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Picture 2: Sample audiogram of NIHL and its effect on speech banana. (Source: researchgate.net)<\/span><\/h6>

Can You Be Affected By NIHL?<\/b><\/h2>

People of all ages, including children, teens, young adults, and older people, can develop NIHL after long hours of exposure to harmful noise. However, the most affected group are industrial and construction workers who are constantly exposed to high levels of machinery or construction noises at work without wearing any hearing protection device (HPD). According to OSHA Malaysia (2015), NIHL is the top-ranked occupational health disease. Besides, recent studies showed teenagers tend to develop hearing loss at an early age due to prolonged music listening habits. As a parent, you can prevent hearing loss from occurring in your children and teach them healthy hearing habits for life. People of all ages can protect their hearing by just lowering the volume, moving away from the noise and wearing earplugs or other hearing protectors. The safe listening volume of a general device is always below 80% of the overall volume.<\/p>

How Loud Is Too Loud?<\/b><\/h2>

Sound is measured in a unit called decibels. It is safe to listen to sounds less than 80 decibels. To understand better, let us guide you through these examples: a normal conversation between you and others is around 60 decibels, while noise from a motorcycle is around 95 decibels. Listening to music at maximum volume via headphones is around 105 decibels. Firecrackers, 140 decibels. So protect your ears this festive season! There is a recommended permissible noise level exposure in relative to time duration. A general rule of thumb is that every increase of 3 decibels reduces half of the permissible time limit exposure of the noise.<\/p>

\"Permissible<\/p>

Remember, always be alert to hazardous noises in the environment. If you are aware, keep your ears close with your hands or just simply move away from it. Your hearing needs you!<\/p>

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Noise-Induced Hearing Loss also known as NIHL We are being bombarded by loud noises everyday. While we are being exposed to the environment filled with sounds and noises such as television, radio, household appliances, smartphones and traffic. Normally, these sounds are at safe level that don\u2019t damage our hearing. But any sound can be harmful […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14736,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"What is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)?","_seopress_titles_desc":"Protect your hearing from Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) caused by loud or prolonged noise exposure. 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You might not notice the damage right away, but over time you may: \ud83d\udd38 Struggle to follow conversations \ud83d\udd38 Need higher volume on the TV \ud83d\udd38 Hear ringing in your ears (tinnitus) \ud83c\udfa7 Sounds above 80 dB can be dangerous. Examples: \ud83d\udde3\ufe0f Conversation: 60 dB \ud83c\udfcd\ufe0f Motorcycle: 95 dB \ud83c\udf86 Firecrackers: 140 dB \ud83c\udfa7 Max headphone volume: 105 dB \ud83d\udc77\u200d\u2642\ufe0f Industrial workers are at high risk, and studies show teens are developing hearing loss earlier due to loud music. NIHL is Malaysia\u2019s top occupational health disease (OSHA, 2015). \ud83d\udee1\ufe0f The best part? NIHL is 100% preventable. \ud83d\udca1 Turn the volume down \ud83d\udca1 Use earplugs in loud places \ud83d\udca1 Take listening breaks \ud83d\udca1 Teach your kids healthy hearing habits \ud83d\udc42 Your hearing is precious. Once it\u2019s lost, it can\u2019t come back. Let\u2019s protect it\u2014starting today. #NIHL #NoiseAwareness #ProtectYourEars #SoundlifeHearing #HearingHealth","_seopress_social_fb_img":"https:\/\/www.soundlife.com.my\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/noise-induced-hearing-loss-NIHL.jpg","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"What is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)?","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) happens when you're exposed to loud sounds\u2014either suddenly or over time\u2014like fireworks, loud music, or machinery. It can sneak up without warning and cause permanent damage, especially at higher frequencies. While NIHL is irreversible, it\u2019s 100% preventable by lowering volume, wearing ear protection, and avoiding prolonged exposure. 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