Listen up...
The Daily Mirror has featured a hearing special in its health section to inform readers of the tell-tale signs of a hearing problem and warn of the dangers of prolonged exposure to loud music.
The article explained that noise louder than 80 decibels can damage hearing, and advised that the following sounds are among those that can affect you:
- Ambulance siren, 125dB
- Road works, 120dB
- Rock concert, 120dB
- Noisy nightclub, 110dB
- MP3 player at high volume, 105dB
- Motorbike, 95dB
- Lawnmower, 95dB
- Noisy pub, 90dB
- Hairdryer, 90dB
- City traffic, 85dB
The RNID issued the following tips on how to reduce your risk of developing a hearing problem:
- When you use an MP3 player, switch it off for at least five minutes each hour to give your ears a rest
- Buy noise-cancelling or sound-isolating headphones so you’re not tempted to crank up the volume on your MP3 player just to drown out background noise on the street or on the train
- Avoid standing or dancing near speakers in clubs and spend time in chill-out areas to give your ears a break from the noise
- Better still, wear earplugs designed for use in clubs and at gigs. These reduce the volume but not the quality of the sound and are widely available on the internet
- If you’re exposed to loud noise at work, wear protective earmuffs or earplugs. These should be supplied by your employer. Call the Health and Safety Executive Infoline on 0845 345 0055 for more information
- It can be noisy outside work, too – for example, when you’re riding a motorbike or using DIY electrical tools. Protect yourself by wearing earplugs – they’re available from pharmacies and sports shops. Choose ones with a simplified noise-level reduction (SNR) figure of 20dB or more
- If you have an ear infection, ask your doctor to check it out, as untreated infections can damage your hearing
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are available on the NHS and privately. But other things help, too, including…
- Special telephones: Choose from phones with flashing lights, ringers that have a volume control, text screens and amplifiers that boost the caller’s voice
- Flashing door bells: Portable door bells that light up are available, so you can carry one around with you
- Vibrating alarm clocks: Including ones that you pop under your pillow
- Special smoke alarms: These come with flashing lights and vibrating pads to go under a pillow or mattress to wake you if a fire breaks out at night
- Hearing loops: Special systems you can install at home that help you hear the TV, hi-fi, radio and voices better
For more information on hearing problems, call the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) information line on 0808 808 0123 (textphone 0808 808 9000).
Source: Daily Mirror
Comments
I find turning off the RNID spin helps us no end... you started with the Mirror but again end up plugging this hated charity to deaf people, a little consideration would not go amiss. It is the sole 'deaf' charity that has no deaf support... Otherwise I enjoy reading this blog, but the RNID are not liked,least of all bythe deaf community, who were told to stop wining and go elsewhere by their CEO...
Posted by: MM | February 4, 2009 12:43 AM
Dear MM
Thanks for your comments. We try and maintain balance on the blog by featuring a number of charities and organisations, but really welcome any feedback about our content, which we take on board when selecting stories.
In terms of this story, the tips were supplied to the Mirror by the RNID, so it was necessary to mention the organisation. (We always reference our sources where possible.)
If there’s anything in particular you’d like to see covered on the blog, please let us know.
Posted by: Nicola | February 4, 2009 05:16 PM