Protecting your ears

A Reader’s Digest Asia article in December 2007 explored the noise epidemic in various public places in the cities of Asia: Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok.

Tests carried out from diners to railway stations, shopping malls to schoolyards reveal that almost all of us in these cities live, work and play surrounded by noise loud enough to cause hearing loss.

A suburban train in Kuala Lumpur was found to generate noise reaching 115dBA (well above the WHO safe limit of 70dBA) when it leaves the platform, and “the combination of squealing train tracks and howling wind tunnels make the 20-minute train ride felt like sitting inside a jet engine”.

While many noise-induced hearing loss prevention programmes and legislation has been in place, they are often poorly implemented and enforced.

If you already have hearing loss, it is more important for you to preserve what’s left of your hearing.

These are some of the ways you could shield your ears from further assault, normal hearing or otherwise:

1. Try to stay away from places that are loud and noisy.

2. Limit your exposure to loud noise if you can’t avoid it.

3. Protective earmuffs come in handy especially when you are exposed to loud noise for long periods of time. Some earmuffs have amplification circuits that may help people with hearing impairment communicate better in noisy backgrounds.

4. Try not to “treat” your ears to loud music through your earphones on iPods or mp3 players.

5. If you use equipment that generate loud noise (jackhammers, drills, and yes, your hairdryer), choose quieter equipment or wear protective equipment when you are using it.

6. Seek treatment for ear infections and get your ears checked frequently if you are exposed to any of the risk factors of hearing loss.

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