AS carnival revellers hit the streets today, coming on the heels of the observation of International Noise Awareness Day last Wednesday, we ought to remember to ensure that we exercise safe listening, as hearing loss is not reversible but it is preventable.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.1 billion young people are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices.

Noise levels have increased, and dangerously so. Noise pollution is increasing at an alarming rate and is having adverse effects on our health, to which many individuals are oblivious.

While not commonly known, loud noise affects people’s health by causing stress, and eventually leads to hearing loss.

As people attend carnival road march with the blaring loudspeakers in an effort to frolic and have fun, be careful.

Sound levels

The decibel is the unit used to measure the intensity of sound. The ear can hear everything from the sound of fingertips brushing lightly on the skin to an aeroplane flying in close proximity.

An increase of 10 decibels means that the sound is 10 times more powerful or intense on the decibel scale. This means it is twice as loud to the ears.

Normal breathing is 10 decibels, normal conversation is 60 decibels, and noise from a vacuum cleaner can reach up to 80 decibels.

The vuvuzelas have (since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa) become permanent celebratory noise implements in the Jamaican culture, and the vuvuzela —with a noise level of over 120 decibels — is way above the tolerable and acceptable noise level of 85 decibels and is a source of noise-induced hearing loss. They should be banned.

Like secondary smoking, they are a serious threat to the health of innocent patrons at entertainment events who are forced to endure them, especially close-up.

Long or repeated exposure to sound that is 85 decibels and over can also cause hearing loss. Acoustic trauma is where a single exposure to very high levels of over 124 decibels, will cause permanent hearing loss.

Children and elderly people are more sensitive to noise. A child’s ear registers sound up to 20 decibels louder than an adult ear.

Some revellers believe that the amplified sound generates much excitement and an electrifying atmosphere — but be on your guard. You might enjoy the music today but lose the ability to listen to it in years to come.

The pain threshold of an individual is approximately 120–140 decibels, however, damage can also be caused by prolonged exposure to 85 decibels, such as noisy machines at industrial sites.

In spite of the music being amplified, creating much energy, pleasure and no pain, it is not safe. Damage to the ear may be imminent.

Loud noise over-stimulates the tiny hair cells in the cochlea or inner ear. These cells are responsible for transmitting the sound waves to the brain, which interprets the waves as sound.

Damaged cells cannot function properly, consequently impairing the auditory mechanism. Currently, there is no repair to damaged hair cells, which means that noise-induced hearing loss is permanent.

Protect your ears

Once you are exposed to sound over 85 decibels for an extended period, you should protect your ears.

An option to protect your ears during the carnival season and thereafter, which comes highly recommended for individuals working in noise-prone industries such as entertainment, transportation and construction, is to wear earplugs.

With the earplugs, you still get to hear the music at a relatively good level, while not destroying your hearing. The sound heard is reduced by approximately 30 decibels, making it safe for listening.

Jamaica Association for the Deaf (JAD) Hearing Services provides noise plugs for musicians and anyone who is exposed to noise for an extended period. So if you are attending the road march, JAD Hearing Services implores you to get earplugs. For further information, you can visit the location at 9 Marescaux Road or contact hearingservices@jamdeaf.org.jm.

Deniese Badroe is the director of the Business Development Division at Jamaica Association for the Deaf (JAD), Hope Estate, Papine; Email: dbadroe@jamdeaf.org.jm ; website: jamdeaf.org.jm.