Did you know that chickens can restore their hearing?
When the delicate inner ear hair cells dies, they can be regenerated. Unfortunately people can’t restore their own hearing. Maybe someday we will be able to do it, but not yet.
So, the best thing is to protect what you have. Wear hearing protection when you are around loud noise. How do you know if noise is too loud? We are so conditioned to the loud sounds around us that we lose the ability to tell what is too loud. One of my patients told me that his leaf blower wasn’t that loud. I thought he was kidding.
As a rule, if you cannot carry on a conversation with the person standing or sitting next to you, it is too loud. Any time you are using power tools, including leaf blowers, it is a good idea to wear hearing protection. If you are attending any performance, it is a good idea to stick a pair of disposable ear plugs in your purse or pocket, so that you will have them if you need them. I went to a performance of the Blue Man Group a few years ago. I couldn’t believe how loud it was! I was glad I had my ear plugs along.
Remember – noise induced hearing loss is completely preventable.
If you have questions, give us a call at 727-323-2471.
Susan E. Terry, Au.D., F-AAA
Doctor of Audiology
Board Certified
P.S. We are here to help, if you have any questions about your hearing feel free to give us a call at 727-323-2471.