The World is Loud and Our Hearing Is Vulnerable
We are exposed to all sorts of sounds every single day - from headphones and traffic to lawnmowers and power tools. Normally, we hear these external sources at safe levels that don’t negatively impact our hearing. But when we are exposed to harmful noise—sounds that are too loud or loud sounds that last a long time—we risk permanent damage.
20%of people are affected by hearing loss globally.
Is it worth
the risk without protection?
Frequently asked questions
How loud is too loud?
The risk of hearing damage can be measured in two ways - how loud and how long. Just one loud BOOM above 120 dB can cause immediate harm to your ears, and continuous exposure to noise at 85 dB can be harmful over time. One way to find out? If your experience leaves your ears ringing or dulls your hearing sense, you’ve been listening to something that's too loud or for too long without proper hearing protection.
What is noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)?
When we are exposed to harmful noise—sounds that are too loud or loud sounds that last a long time—sensitive structures in our inner ear can be damaged, causing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). These sensitive structures, called hair cells, are small sensory cells that convert sound energy into electrical signals that travel to the brain. Once damaged, our hair cells cannot grow back. In other words, if you overuse it, you lose it.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of hearing something when nothing’s there. These phantom noises can sound like ringing, buzzing, hissing or clicking. In most cases, tinnitus is caused by one of the following: Exposure to loud noises - long and short-term exposure to loud noises can cause permanent damage. Examples of long-term: blasting music from your headphones for too long, using power tools, mowing the lawn Examples of short-term: going to a loud concert, hearing an explosion Age-related hearing loss - hearing worsens with age, especially for those over 60 years old. Ear bone changes - otosclerosis, or the stiffening of bones in your middle ear may cause tinnitus and tends to run in families.
How long can I listen to loud music?
It depends on the volume. An increase of only a few decibels has a dramatic effect on the danger to hearing. Each increase of 3 Decibels (dB) represents a doubling of noise energy/sound pressure, and halves the safe exposure time you should listen for.
How do I know if I have hearing damage?
Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent. For example, a person who attends a loud concert may come out feeling slightly deaf or experiencing tinnitus. This is a temporary hearing loss and hearing in this case usually recovers within a few hours or a day. Regular or prolonged noise exposure can cause gradual, irreversible damage to the sensory cells, leading to permanent hearing loss. While temporary hearing loss gives no indication of the degree of permanent hearing loss that might eventually be experienced, it is a good predictor of the early development of permanent hearing loss.
ARE CHILDREN MORE AT RISK FOR HEARING LOSS?
As parents you need to play an active role in educating your children about safe listening and monitoring their exposure to loud noise; you also need to be role models of safe listening for your children. You should make sure that your children avoid the use of headphones when possible and use only headphones that provide information about the risks for hearing loss. Parents should also ensure that their children do not increase the volume when they are not supervised. Some devices may be equipped with parental control that allows parents to control the loudness level of the device.
The more we understand hearing, the better we can prevent losing it.
how we hear
Hearing depends on a series of events that change sound waves in the air into electrical signals.
1. Sound waves enter the ear canal, which leads to the eardrum.
2. The incoming sound waves vibrate the eardrum and sends these vibrations to three tiny bones in the middle ear.
3. These bones couple the sound vibrations to fluid vibrations in the cochlea of the inner ear, which is shaped like a snail and filled with fluid. The basilar membrane, an elastic partition runs, splits the cochlea into upper and lower parts.
4. The vibrations cause the fluid inside the cochlea to ripple and hair cells-sensory cells sitting on top of the basilar membrane-ride the wave.
5. As the hair cells move up and down, microscopic hair-like projections (known as stereocilia) that perch on top of the hair cells bump against an overlying structure and bend. Bending causes pore-like channels, which are at the tips of the stereocilia, to open up. When that happens, chemicals rush into the cells, creating an electrical signal.
6. The auditory nerve carries this electrical signal to the brain, which turns it into a sound that we recognize and understand.
Types of Hearing Loss
NOISE INDUCED HEARING LOSS (NIHL)
When we are exposed to harmful noise—sounds that are too loud or loud sounds that last a long time—sensitive structures in our inner ear can be damaged, causing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). These sensitive structures, called hair cells, are small sensory cells that convert sound energy into electrical signals that travel to the brain. Once damaged, our hair cells cannot grow back. In other words, if you overuse it, you lose it.
TINNITUS
Tinnitus is the perception of hearing something when nothing’s there. These phantom noises can sound like ringing, buzzing, hissing or clicking. In many cases, tinnitus is caused by exposure to loud noises, like mowing the lawn, listening to music with headphones or riding your motorcycle.
Factsheet
Hearing loss by the numbers: 3rd most common physical condition behind arthritis and heart disease, affecting people of all ages.
466 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss.
34 million of these cases are children.
26 million people in U.S. between ages 20-69 have hearing loss.
30 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels.
Musicians are 400% more likely to have hearing loss and 57% more likely to have tinnitus than the general public.
Mythbusters
MYTH: Everyone who has hearing loss is older than age 65.
Actually, no. Half of those individuals with hearing loss are younger than age 65.
MYTH: Hearing loss isn't that common.
Think again. Hearing loss is the third most common physical condition in the US and is more prevalent than diabetes and cancer. Around 1 in 8 children age 6-19 years old have noise induced hearing loss.
MYTH: Everyday loud activities do not affect your hearing.
Not true. Noise-induced hearing loss can be caused by lawn/farm equipment, concerts, sporting events, firework shows, hair dryers, firearms, and alarm clocks. A single exposure to excessive noise can also cause permanent hearing loss.
MYTH: Hearing loss does not affect your day-to-day life.
Individuals with untreated hearing loss are often excluded from communication and have feelings of loneliness, isolation, depression, and frustration.
Protect Your Peace
Our promise is simple - you will hear and feel better when you wear EarPeace.
SOUND WITHOUT NOISE
Proprietary attenuation filter technology allows a precise amount of unobstructed sound into the ear for clear, crisp sound.
ALL DAY COMFORT
Hypoallergenic silicone is super soft and the dual flange design gently seals the ear with no hard plastic edges. You'll forget you're wearing them!
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Wind and engine noise are filtered out so you get clear sound from the sources you need, like radio comms, music and traffic.
INDUSTRY STANDARD
Brands like RedBull Global Rally Cross and Ford Racing choose EarPeace hearing protection. Ride like the pros.