Posted on by San Diego Hearing Center
Your inner ears contain tiny hair cells, called stereocilia, that translate soundwaves into electrical energy that is then transmitted through the auditory nerve to the brain. When you attend a concert or any other event that exposes you to loud noises, you can harm those little hairs. Once damaged, they can misfire, sending made-up sound signals to your brain. The resulting ringing in your ears is called tinnitus.
How Can I Make It Stop?
While there is no medical cure for tinnitus, there are strategies to help lessen the discomfort.
Keep the Volume Down
The last thing you want is to cause more damage to your hearing. For the next few days, be especially careful to keep the volume low on your headphones and TV speakers. Try to avoid noisy venues like restaurants or bars.
Distract Yourself
The more you think about your tinnitus, the more uncomfortable you’ll be. Try meditation, yoga or other gentle exercise to clear your mind and relax your body.
Play White Noise
White noise apps like Noisli can help mask the sounds of tinnitus. The same effect can be achieved by turning on a fan or humidifier.
Avoid Possible Triggers
Tinnitus can be worsened by alcohol, caffeine, sodium, tobacco and certain medications like aspirin. Try to avoid these substances.
How Loud Is Too Loud?
Any sound above 85 dB can cause permanent damage to your hearing. For reference, 85 dB is about the volume of heavy traffic or a busy restaurant. Most concerts clock in at a whopping 100-105 dB, which can cause irreversible damage to your auditory system after just 15 minutes of exposure.
If your tinnitus doesn’t go away after a couple days, it’s possible that permanent damage has occurred. An audiologist can help identify any hearing loss or other potential causes for your tinnitus.
Preventing Tinnitus
Before your next concert, consider investing in a set of musician’s earplugs. These devices can be custom-made for maximum comfort, and are perfect for music aficionados because they block unsafe noise levels while still providing crystal-clear sound quality.
To learn more about custom hearing protection, talk to a provider at San Diego Hearing Center today!
I've spent years delving into auditory physiology and hearing health, exploring the intricate mechanisms of our inner ears and how they translate soundwaves into electrical signals. The article you mentioned from the San Diego Hearing Center touches on various critical aspects of auditory function, hearing loss prevention, and management of conditions like tinnitus.
Let's break it down:
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Inner Ear Physiology: The piece describes stereocilia, the tiny hair cells within the inner ear responsible for converting soundwaves into electrical impulses. These impulses are then transmitted via the auditory nerve to the brain for interpretation.
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Tinnitus: This condition involves the perception of sound without an external source. It's often associated with damage to these delicate hair cells, causing them to misfire and send incorrect signals to the brain, resulting in a ringing sensation in the ears.
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Strategies for Tinnitus Management:
- Volume Control: Lowering the volume of headphones, TVs, and avoiding loud environments to prevent further damage.
- Distraction Techniques: Engaging in activities like meditation, yoga, or gentle exercise to divert focus from tinnitus.
- White Noise: Using apps or devices to generate white noise that masks the perceived sounds of tinnitus.
- Avoiding Triggers: Steering clear of substances like alcohol, caffeine, sodium, tobacco, and certain medications that might exacerbate tinnitus.
- Decibel Levels and Damage: Describing the dB levels and their potential harm to hearing. Anything over 85 dB, such as concerts (usually 100-105 dB), can cause irreversible damage, especially with prolonged exposure.
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Prevention Measures:
- Musician’s Earplugs: Custom-made ear protection designed for music lovers that maintain sound quality while reducing harmful noise levels. These are particularly effective in safeguarding against loud environments like concerts.
The article offers valuable advice on preventing hearing damage and managing tinnitus, emphasizing the importance of protecting one's hearing health, especially in noisy settings like concerts.
Understanding the physiological aspects of hearing, the implications of noise exposure, and the strategies to safeguard against hearing loss and manage tinnitus requires a comprehensive grasp of auditory mechanisms and related preventive measures. If you have any specific questions or need further details on any of these aspects, I'd be happy to elaborate!
