It’s not uncommon for people to live near street traffic, but as today’s hearing fact shows, this living situation may pave the way for developing tinnitus.
Tinnitus, a hearing health condition that impacts 10 to 25% of adults in the U.S., is characterized by the continuous sensation of ringing or other noise (buzzing, roaring, humming, etc.) in our ears when no other noise is present. Common causes of this irritating condition include noise exposure and age-related hearing loss.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for tinnitus, though numerous studies have revealed positive results from wearing hearing aids to treat it. (Check out the top 3 ways hearing aids can help with tinnitus here.)
But knowledge is power—and we can take control of our hearing health today by learning about the study behind today’s hearing fact, noise pollution, and what we can do about it.
Study examined link between transportation noise and tinnitus
A nationwide observational study of Denmark residents aged 30 and over revealed more than 40,000 cases of tinnitus. For every 10-decibel increase of noise in people’s homes, the risk of tinnitus rose by 6%. Researchers concluded that the more road traffic noise residents were exposed to in their homes, the greater their risk of tinnitus.
Why would this be? The researchers surmised that living near street traffic may increase stress, thereby affecting sleep. It’s this vicious cycle that can put people at higher risk of tinnitus.
This study goes to show that noise pollution is a real issue that can affect our hearing health—and overall well-being.
What is noise pollution?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines noise pollution as occurring when “unwanted or disturbing sound” enters our environment. According to the EPA, sound is considered unwanted when it either “interferes with normal activities such as sleeping (or) conversation,” or “diminishes one’s quality of life.” Examples may include traffic, airplane, crowd or construction noise.
Let’s face it: Sounds are all around us—but it’s those unrelenting or escalating sounds that can impact not only our hearing, but also our overall health.
According to a recent review (or summary of existing research), exposure to noise pollution can increase the risk of health issues including:
- Hearing damage
Per the study behind today’s hearing fact, we know that noise pollution can increase our risk of tinnitus. But did you know it can also lead to hearing damage such as hyperacusis (perceiving moderate sounds as uncomfortably loud)—and noise-induced hearing loss (reduced ability to hear sounds), even at moderate but consistent noise levels over time?
Long-term effects of such hearing damage can include difficulty understanding speech, loneliness, and depression. Unfortunately, these conditions put us at a higher risk for dementia.
- Elevated stress
Noise pollution can impact our mental health. Because the brain is constantly monitoring for signals of danger, loud or recurring noise can create a stressor that may cause anxiety and physical reactions that prepare the body for a fight or flight response.
Long-term effects of these responses, in severe cases, can include the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Disrupted sleep
Unwanted sounds in our environment can impede our sleep, which can cause fatigue, depressed mood, and decreased performance levels.
Long-term effects of chronic poor sleep can include the increased risk of dementia and cardiovascular disease.
And the list goes on.
What can we do about noise pollution?
Noise pollution is often tough to avoid or control. But there are ways we can try to prevent it from impacting our well-being.
At home:
- Decrease volume and duration spent listening to audio devices like TVs or smartphones.
- Soundproof the home from outside noise by adding insulation to walls (example: fiberglass or wool) or soft furnishings such as rugs or carpet.
- Reduce appliance noise by setting timers on portable machines or turning them off more often (examples: air conditioners, blow dryers, washing machines, etc.).
- Wear hearing protection like earplugs or protective earmuffs to reduce exposure to noise from a busy street outside the home, our vacuum or lawnmower, and so on.
Outside home:
- Wear hearing protection to safeguard against sudden/impulse or continuous noise (examples: using power tools, attending live stadium events, hunting, etc.).
Note: The latest hearing protection includes a variety of different devices to suit any need, including custom-fit devices that can suppress loud sounds while amplifying environmental sounds you want to hear.
- Reduce time spent in noise by departing a noisy area completely or even momentarily (Did you know noise breaks can help reduce strain on the ears?).
- Monitor noise levels using a sound meter app and know when surrounding noise is safe or harmful.
Monitor your hearing with help from a professional
Staying on top of our hearing health is key to maintaining our overall health and quality of life: So, if you think you may be experiencing tinnitus or hearing loss—or would like to learn more about hearing protection—schedule an appointment with a licensed hearing care professional.
As it stands, experts recommend having hearing screened every five years if we're aged between 50 and 64, then every three years after that. So, even if you aren’t sure of your hearing status, getting a hearing test now will give the professional a baseline of your hearing to compare against future results. This way, they can monitor for any changes in your hearing as you age.
And if it turns out hearing aids are your best option, know that your tinnitus or hearing loss is in great hands with today’s latest hearing technology.