Causes of hearing loss, from train noises to coffee grinders, and how to protect your ears

Beyond loud music less obvious dangers to our ears lurk, in our kitchens and on our commutes. Experts offer tips to prevent hearing damage

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From blenders and coffee grinders to trains and police sirens, noises that pose a threat to our hearing surround us in everyday life. Here are some tips for how to protect your ears beyond turning the music down. Photo: Shutterstock

Tribune News Service

Published: 4:15pm, 22 Aug 2024

We often take our hearing for granted, but the world around us is getting louder, putting our auditory health at risk.

While concertgoers might expect ringing ears, many everyday activities can also damage our hearing over time. Understanding hearing loss can help us take better precautions.

The science of sound and hearing

Sound waves enter the ear canal and cause the eardrum to vibrate. Tiny bones in the middle ear amplify these vibrations and transmit them to the cochlea in the inner ear. Inside the cochlea, thousands of hair cells convert these vibrations into electrical signals the brain interprets as sound.

Smoothies may be good for your gut health, but blenders are one of the main culprits in the household for causing hearing damage. Photo: Shutterstock

Noise-induced hearing loss occurs when loud sounds damage or destroy these delicate hair cells. Once damaged, these cells do not regenerate, leading to permanent hearing loss. The louder the sound and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk of damage.

In general, noises below 70 decibels do not harm your ears, according to the non-profit American academic medical centre Mayo Clinic. Damage can occur when noises are above that level. The higher the decibel level, the more damage your ears incur.

Surprising sources of hearing damage

Your morning routine might be the first offender, with coffee grinders and blenders averaging about 70-90 decibels. Some small kitchen appliances can reach beyond 110 decibels – as loud as a chainsaw about a metre (three feet) away.

Consider using earplugs while making breakfast, and be mindful of other noisy household chores like vacuuming (75 decibels) or using power tools.