The Most Likely Effects of NIHL
Diminished hearing at certain frequencies is often the first symptom of Noise Induced Hearing Loss. The damage usually effects the range of hearing needed to understand people speaking, often making it difficult to communicate.
The threshold audiogram hearing test (pictured below) shows how the uneven impact of hearing loss creates a notch in the upper range of sound. (HSMC, 2008)
Listen to the Effects of NIHL
Listen to each of the three simulations of hearing loss below so you can understand what mild, medium and severe hearing loss could sound like. They were selected from a Hearing Loss Sampler program designed by Dr. Scott Bradley from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Mild Noise Induced Hearing Loss Simulation.
Moderate to Severe Noise Induced Hearing Loss Simulation.
Profound Noise Induced Hearing Loss Simulation.
Other Common Symptoms of NIHL
Tinnitus is another common symptom of Noise Induced Hearing Loss that is often described as a ringing, buzzing, or whooshing sound in the ears that can occur occasionally or constantly.
Acoustic Trauma is caused by impulse sounds and can result in immediate hearing loss. Impulse sounds are short loud blasts like firecrackers or short blasts of hazardous iPod volume.
Unfortunately, in cases of Noise Induced Hearing Loss, once the effects are noticed the damage has already reached an irreversible level and the symptoms will gradually worsen over time.
