Hearing Resources
Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation 414-276-5338 www.caohc.org National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 800-311-3435 www.cdc.gov/niosh National Hearing Conservation Association 303-224-9022 www.hearingconservation.org League for the Hard of Hearing 954-731-7200 www.lhh.org Sight and Hearing Association 800-992-0424 www.sightandhearing.org
Further information and resources are available by contacting your local NCDHH Field Representative.
Sound Advice
� � ���
Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Office Hours Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekends: CLOSED
Walk-Ins Welcome! Southeastern 4600 Valley Road, Suite 420 Lincoln, NE 68510-4844 (402) 471-3593 V/TTY Northeastern/Eastern 1313 Farnam on the Mall Omaha, NE 68102-1836 (402) 595-3991 V/TTY Central 200 South Silber, Room 207 North Platte, NE 69101-4298 (308) 535-6600 V/TTY Western PO Box 1500 4500 Avenue I Scottsbluff, NE 69363-4907 (308) 633-1207 V/TTY
SoundAdvice
3
Inside:
Simple Ways to Change Your Life Save Your Hearing.
&
√ Learn how to identify hazards √ Hearing loss prevention strategies √ How to tell if you have hearing loss Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Lincoln • Omaha • North Platte • Scottsbluff
Visit Us Online 24/7 www.ncdhh.ne.gov
Hearing Loss: ‘Invisible’ Problem Sneaks Up On 30 Million Americans
hances are you won’t notice changes in your hearing until it’s too late. The impact of hearing loss is tremendous — the inability to understand speech, disturbance of rest and sleep, mental health and performance factors. Individuals overexposed to noise at work are at higher risk to developing hypertension and heart disease. Children chronically exposed to noise in their schools under-perform in tasks like proof-reading and problemsolving due to distractions and hyperactivity. While you can’t block every ear-piercing blast and thunder of overhead jets, you can protect your family’s hearing over the long haul by following preventative health practices.
Sound Advice
Say What?
Sound Advice
C
Are You One of Them?
How to Tell if You Have Hearing Loss
If loved ones ask you to repeat your sentences often; if you have to shout to people at arm’s length because its noisy around you, consider having your hearing evaluated. Rediscovering your hearing can open a whole new world and freedoms you’d long forgotten about. Other recognizable physical symptoms of hearing loss can include: * Higher blood pressure * Nervousness * Stomach aches * Sleeping difficulty * Troubles concentrating * Increased heart rate * Irritability * Headaches * Noticeable tiredness * Academic problems
How loud is too loud? You’d be surprised.You don’t have to experience ringing in your ears to sustain hearing loss. Any noise that’s “too loud for too long” will cause long-term irreversible damage. As a rule, never expose a child to noise above 120 decibels (dB). Prolonged exposure to noise exceeding 90 dB will cause gradual hearing loss for anyone. Regular exposure of 110 db longer than one (1) minute risks permanent hearing loss.
Ticking Watch Whispering Conversation Washing Machine Vacuum Cleaner Hair Dryer Door Bell Alarm Clock Lawn Mower Traffic Food Blender Electric Drill Baby Crying Thunder Video Arcade Chain Saw Squeeze Toy Band Concert Stock Cars Cap Gun Gun Shot 20 dB 30 60 50-75 60-85 60-95 80 80 80-95 85 90 95 110 110+ 110 120 130 140 140 150 165
Identify the Hazards Affecting Your Hearing
Sound Advice
Prevention is Easy, 1-2-3
1) Wear ear protection around loud noises (i.e tools) or lower volume on devices, such as TVs and stereos. 2) Use one device at a time. (TV on? Turn stereo off!) 3) Take breaks away from the noise.
If you, or someone you know experiences a combination of these symptoms, consult an audiologist or a physician.