How Noise Damages Our Hearing

To visualize how loud sounds can damage our hearing, consider the following analogy.  Our occupational safety report compares the hair membranes in the inner ear to wheat in a field  and the sound entering the ear to the wind.  A gentle breeze, like a low level sound, will move move the tops of the wheat, but the wheat is not damaged.  Increased wind velocity, however, will  increase the stress on the wheat stalk.  A sudden, extremely high wind or continuous exposure to lower winds over a long period of time may damage the stalk beyond repair and cause it to die. 

It is similar with noise and the tiny, delicate hair cells in the inner ear. An instant loud blast can tear the tissues of the inner ear and leave scars that cause permanent hearing loss. In addition, prolonged noise levels can permanently damage the delicate hair cells. Once damaged, they cannot regenerate.  The accompanying result may be tinnitus-a buzzing, ringing, or roaring in the ears or head. 

Next time: Protect and Prolong Your Hearing

From the Awake! magazine, 2002