For Quality Hearing Protection Supplies Near Wilmington, Trust Angersteins

How Do Loud Noises Damage Hearing?

So, how much damage can a bit of loud noise actually do to your ears and hearing ability? Is using protective gear over your ears really that important, or is it mostly just a preference thing, like if you’re extra sensitive to noise?

The fact is, the threat of ear damage is very real! Loud noises can damage hearing through a process called noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) – and can be temporary or permanent.

Here’s how sound works coming into your ear:

• Sound waves enter the ear canal and cause the eardrum to vibrate.
• These vibrations are transferred through the ossicles (three small bones) in the middle ear to the cochlea in the inner ear.
• The cochlea is filled with fluid and lined with tiny hair cells (cilia) that move in response to sound vibrations. 
• This movement generates electrical signals that are sent to the brain via the auditory nerve, allowing us to perceive sound.

Exposure to loud noises for extended periods or exposure to very loud short bursts (such as explosions or gunshots) can damage the hair cells in the cochlea – and these hair cells do not regenerate! Once they are damaged or destroyed, they cannot be repaired or replaced, which is what leads to permanent hearing loss.

Temporary hearing loss is caused when the hair cells are overstimulated. Hearing usually returns to normal after a period of rest, but repeated exposure can lead to permanent damage.

As you can see, protecting your ears isn’t a task to take lightly.

Protect Your Hearing With Products From Us

At Angersteins, we are dedicated to providing Wilmington residents with reliable, high-quality hearing protection supplies that you can count on to minimize noise and keep your inner ear safer. Visit our store or explore our products online to find the perfect solution for your hearing protection needs.