Exposure To Loud Noise – Cause of Tinnitus

Millions of Americans suffer from tinnitus, 10 to 15 million of whom had to seek out medical help and another two million have a severe, bothersome form of the condition. Tinnitus is the medical term for "hearing" noises in your ears when there is no external origin of the sound. These noises can be a clicking, buzzing, humming, whistling, hissing, or ringing sensation. There are several causes of tinnitus although the exact cause is still not fully understood by science.

One cause of tinnitus is exposure to loud noises. A one time but unexpected experience of a very loud noise can cause temporary deafness and tinnitus. Regular contact with loud noises makes an individual more likely to develop tinnitus. Young people who love rock music or are always in attendance in nightclubs will be especially at risk.

A concert in the US played music which was recorded to be as loud as 150 decibels. A decibel (dB) is used to measure the intensity of sound level. The human hearing range is 0 dB, which is the threshold of hearing, to 130 dB which is the threshold of pain. The concert is absolutely above the human hearing range and this will have adverse effects on the individuals who are constantly exposed to these levels of sound intensity. It is not uncommon for rock musicians to suffer from varying degrees of tinnitus.

Seventy-three per cent of those who attend rock concerts have reported dulled hearing or tinnitus or both, as the extracted data from a research in the UK showed. Among clubbers the figure was 66 per cent, and 17 per cent of stereo users also reported hearing impairments. Tests have also revealed that 44 per cent of those who go to rock concerts once a month, have hearing difficulties.

Tinnitus is common to the older generations since aging can also bring about hearing deterioration but the increasing occurrence of tinnitus in young people is alarming. Loud noises is a cause of tinnitus and many of those in the younger age group follow a lifestyle which often times expose them to high level of sound therefore putting them at high risk of developing tinnitus.

Depending on the cause and the level to which it has affected the patient’s everyday life, tinnitus treatment is a case-to-case basis. However, the first thing a person who suffers from the condition must do is to visit an ENT specialist. Then follow a course of action as prescribed by the doctor. There are numerous available remedies which can alleviate tinnitus or permanently get rid of those”noises in your head”.