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Home » Health Articles » Listen Up How Noise Can Harm Your Hearing

Listen Up: How Noise Can Harm Your Hearing

The good news is that you don't have to lose your hearing as you age. The bad news is, you will - unless you limit your exposure to high noise levels. The most preventable cause of hearing loss is the cumulative effect of noise. The following suggestions and decibel (dB) chart will help you gauge your exposure to noise and reduce your risk of hearing loss:

• Wear ear plugs when operating noisy equipment (i.e. lawn mower, motorboat or power tools).
• Set car, home and portable stereos to below half volume. Beware of music levels in exercise classes, concerts and bars.
• Look for a product recommended for quiet operation when shopping for a fan, air conditioner or other household appliance.
• Don't buy noisy toys. Some toy musical instruments emit dangerous sound levels, while cap guns and firecrackers, exploding near the ear, can damage hearing even if you only hear them once.
• Any noise which makes your ears ring, a condition called tinnitus, is too loud.
• Protect your ears if you hunt or shoot guns. Acoustic trauma - immediate, severe and persistent hearing loss - is directly linked to gunfire.
• If your workplace is noisy, ensure that ear protectors are provided, and wear them.
• Make sure printers, copiers and other noisy office machines aren't grouped together.
• Wear ear plugs at rock concerts.
• Avoid places where you cannot talk comfortably with another person who is three feet away.
• Wear ear protectors for loud hobbies like snowmobiling or woodworking.

How Loud is Too Loud? Use this Decibel Chart to Gauge Noise Level Effects

• Normal breathing, 10 dB - Just audible
• Quiet office, refrigerator, 50 dB - Comfortable
• Vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, inside a car, 70 dB - Intrusive, interferes with telephone conversation
• Average city traffic, alarm clock, 80 dB - Annoying, intrusive, interferes with conversation
• Electric razor, many industrial work places, 85 dB - Level at which hearing damage (8 hours) begins
• Subway, motorcycle, lawn mower, 90 dB - Very annoying
• Average portable cd player set above half volume, 95 dB -
• Repeated exposure risks permanent hearing loss
• Chain saw, subway train, garbage truck, 100 dB - Damage after 15 minutes exposure
• Inboard motorboat, power saw, highly amplified rock music, pneumatic drill, 110 dB - Regular exposure of 1 minute risks permanent hearing loss
• Thunderclap (nearby), jet engine (at take off), very loud nightclub, 120 dB - Threshold of pain
• Shotgun firing, air-raid siren, 130 dB - May cause acoustic trauma

Chart Source: Canadian Hearing Society Foundation

Noise pollution is increasing, with city noise doubling every decade. However, by limiting the noise that you and your children are exposed to, you can help protect yourself, and them, from future hearing loss.

Copyright 2005 Jane Lake

And here is another random article you might be interested in...

How To Purchase An Annuity

An annuity is a contract with an insurance company to make periodic payments for retirement income and sometimes other purposes.

There are basically two types of annuities.

Fixed Annuities

A fixed annuity earns a guaranteed interest rate over a specific period of time. When this period of time expires a new interest rate is set for the next period of time. Is important to note that a fixed annuity is not backed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Variable Annuities

Variable annuities offer a much greater range of investment funding options than fixed annuities. Because their performance depends on the investment options your principal and return are not guaranteed. Some variable annuities offer a fixed accounts alternative that guarantees principal and interest a lot like fixed annuities. You can then divide your funds between the low-risk option as well as high-risk options such as stocks.

Purchasing Annuities

There are two ways to purchase annuities. You can either pay the premium using one lump sum or you can make ongoing contributions to what is called a flexible payment annuity. With a flexible payment annuity you can contribute money pretty much any time you want. Another benefit of variable annuities is that they allow you to transfer money from one account to the other without having to pay taxes on any earnings you make as a result of the transfer. The disadvantage of variable annuities is that you will most likely pay higher fees than you would with a fixed annuity.

If you are wanting to save money for retirement a fixed tax deferred annuity may be the best option for you. With a tax-deferred annuity you don't pay taxes until you make a withdrawal or begin receiving annuity income. This can allow you to accumulate a greater amount of money over an extended period of time. You should think carefully though before putting money into a tax-deferred annuity. If the money is needed before age 59 and you withdrawal the money the IRS may apply heavy penalties. In addition the insurer may also impose its own withdrawal penalties which are often cause surrender fees.

You can also purchase what is called an immediate annuity. When you purchase an immediate annuity you make a one-time payment and distributions usually begin within 30 days. Immediate annuities can be fixed or variable. Because an immediate annuity can provide stable income payments guaranteed for a selected period of time, this is a good option if you need a financial vehicle that can provide guaranteed income for life.

Before purchasing an annuity is important to speak with a professional financial adviser so you have an understanding of the various tax consequences of an annuity as well as the expenses which may be associated with the contract.