Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Noise-induced hearing loss happens when sounds that are too loud or loud sounds over a long time damage the sensitive structures inside your ear. Sounds louder than 80 decibels—like listening to loud music on headphones or using loud equipment—can cause this damage.

Very loud sounds damage tiny hair cells in your inner ear that help you hear. When these cells get damaged, they can't send sound signals to your brain properly, which causes hearing loss.

Sounds below 80 decibels are generally considered safe, but very prolonged exposure to sounds in the 70-80 decibel range could potentially cause some damage over many years. The risk increases significantly once you go above 80 decibels.

Some people's ears are naturally more sensitive to loud sounds, and genetics play a role in how quickly hearing damage happens. Your age, overall health, and how long you're exposed to loud noise also affect how fast you lose hearing.

If you don't protect your hearing from loud sounds, you can develop permanent hearing loss that gets worse over time. This can make it harder to understand conversations, enjoy music, and stay safe in your daily life.