Audiology
Hearing
Noise-Related Hearing Loss
Several factors can affect your hearing, including:
- Aging
- Heredity
- Diseases and Disorders
- Head or Ear Injury
- Ototoxic Drugs
However, hearing loss caused by exposure to noise is one of the most common – and most preventable – hearing disorders.
What is Noise-Related Hearing Loss?
Prolonged exposure to noise is one of the most common causes of permanent hearing loss. It usually develops slowly and without pain or symptoms. And you may not notice that you have a problem until serious, irreversible damage has already been done.
It can occur in people of any age. It may develop suddenly or gradually, depending on the source and intensity of the noise. And it can be temporary or permanent, depending on the extent of the damage that’s caused to the ear.