Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)–it's definitely not something you want:
- It's irreversible.
- Can happen to anyone at any age.
- Symptoms may be temporary but damage is permanent.
It's how you listen that counts.
We're definitely not telling you to pull the plug on the music you love. We just want you to rock smart now so that you can enjoy a lifetime of listening to great sounds and hearing your friends and family. You can prevent NIHL by controlling the volume and your exposure to loud sound.
Turn down the volume if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Voices suddenly sound muffled and are hard to understand.
- You experience ringing, buzzing or fluttering in one or both ears.
- Your ears hurt after being in a loud place.
- Your hearing is suddenly super-sensitive to noise.
If symptoms last longer than a day, you should visit your doctor or an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist. Talk to your parents first if you're under the age of 18.
Copyright 2010 © House Ear Institute.