When I was nineteen or so I worked in a factory manufactuing car parts.
I'm Thirty six now and seem to be suffering hearing loss. I can recall
hearing the machinery echoing in my ears as I slept while working there.
Sometimes when I am very tired I seem to hear the same echoing now.
I know it is foolish to continue to avoid hearing tests, however I am
scared to death of having to wear a hearing aid.
Is there a chance that the problem might be reversible?
Answer ----------------------
Short term unprotected exposures to hazardous noise levels, particularly those exceeding 80 decibels, can result in temporary hearing loss known as "temporary threshold shifts". This type of hearing loss is reversible providing there is prompt removal from the noisy environment for an adequate period of time to allow restoration of normal hearing levels. An example of such a phenomena would be an employee in a factory who previously had not been in noisy environments, is then exposed to high noise levels for a few days before being removed to more quiet surroundings. If one were to serially test the hearing before, during, and after the short period of extreme noise exposure there would typically be a reversible drop in hearing during the time of exposure and for several days after before the hearing levels returned to normal.
However, persistent exposure to hazardous noise levels without adequate hearing protection will result in permanent "nerve" hearing loss that is classically worse in the higher frequencies and is associated with ringing or buzzing in the ears known as tinnitus. The duration of such noise exposure that would be necessary to cause permanent irreversible hearing loss most likely is dependent on multiple variables and will vary between different individuals. It is advisable to always wear hearing protection when exposed to noise levels above 80 decibels for any length of time to be safe. Certainly if short term unprotected exposures to such noise levels are unavoidable, it is wise to remove oneself from such noisy environments promptly if tinnitus or subjective loss of hearing is experienced.
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Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
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