Healthy Hearing

• maternal rubella, syphilis or certain other infections during pregnancy;
• low birth weight;
• birth asphyxia (a lack of oxygen at the time of birth);
• inappropriate use of particular drugs during pregnancy, such as aminoglycosides, cytotoxic drugs, antimalarial drugs, and diuretics;
• severe jaundice in the neonatal period, which can damage the hearing nerve in a newborn infant.

Acquired causes may lead to hearing loss at any age, such as:

• infectious diseases including meningitis, measles and mumps;
• chronic ear infections;
• collection of fluid in the ear (otitis media);
• use of certain medicines, such as those used in the treatment of neonatal infections, malaria, drug-resistant tuberculosis, and cancers;
• injury to the head or ear;
• excessive noise, including occupational noise such as that from machinery and explosions;
• recreational exposure to loud sounds such as that from use of personal audio devices at high volumes and for prolonged periods of time and regular attendance at concerts, nightclubs, bars and sporting events;
• aging, in particular due to degeneration of sensory cells; and
• wax or foreign bodies blocking the ear canal.

A main impact of hearing loss is on an individual’s ability to communicate with other people, this is known as functional impact. The social and emotional impacts include exclusion from communication, and that can have a significant impact on everyday life, causing feelings of loneliness, isolation, and frustration, particularly among older people with hearing loss. The economic impact is also impactful. The WHO estimates that unaddressed hearing loss poses an annual global cost of US$ 750 billion. This includes health sector costs (excluding the cost of hearing devices), costs of educational support, loss of productivity, and societal costs. Adults with hearing loss also have a much higher unemployment or underemployment. This suggests that hearing loss has a substantial socioeconomic implications on the workforce. Among those who are employed, a higher percentage of people with hearing loss are in the lower grades of employment compared with the general workforce. Improving access to education and vocational rehabilitation services, and raising awareness especially among employers about the needs of people with hearing loss, will decrease unemployment rates for people with hearing loss.

Overall, it is suggested that half of all cases of hearing loss can be prevented through public health measures. For a family, preventative measures might include ideas like the following:

• immunizing children against childhood diseases, including measles, meningitis, rubella and mumps;
• following healthy ear care practices;
• reducing exposure (both occupational and recreational) to loud sounds by raising awareness about the risks
• encouraging individuals to use personal protective devices such as earplugs and noise-canceling earphones and headphones.
• screening of children for otitis media, followed by appropriate medical or surgical interventions;
• avoiding the use of particular drugs which may be harmful to hearing, unless prescribed and monitored by a qualified physician;
• referring infants at high risk, such as those with a family history of deafness or those born with low birth weight, birth asphyxia, jaundice or meningitis, for early assessment of hearing, to ensure prompt diagnosis and appropriate management, as required;
• educating young people and population in general on hearing loss, its causes, prevention and identification.

For the workplace, an employee can find out if the noise in a workspace is hazardous. Some suggestions include understanding how much noise is in a workplace. For example, if you must raise your voice to speak with someone at arm’s length, then the noise is likely at a hazardous level. Employees can ask the safety manager or direct supervisor to check the noise levels in your workplace, making sure they are below 85dBA.

Further prevention includes reduce your noise exposure:

• Taking a break from the noisy activity.
• Enclosing the source of the noise or place a barrier between you and the source.
• Increasing the distance between you and the source of the noise.
• Reducing time in noisy areas.
• Wearing hearing protection in noisy areas, and if using foam plugs, insert them correctly.
• If using ear buds, headphones, or listening to music, keep volume levels safe and only listen in areas that are not noisy.
• Reduce or stop exposure to chemicals that may damage your hearing.
  • Use a less-toxic or non-toxic chemical.
  • Wear gloves, long sleeves and eye protection.
  • Wear a respirator or other protective equipment, as appropriate.
  • Read and follow all chemical safety instructions.

There are apps available for personal use to learn about hearing levels. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests the NIOSH Sound Level Meter App. The app was developed to help workers make informed decisions about their noise environment and promote better hearing health and prevention efforts.