With many fireworks displays across the country cancelled due to COVID-19, some regions are still allowing the sale of backyard fireworks. The American Academy of Audiology cautions the public to exercise caution and remember to protect hearing.
Each year, growing numbers of Americans are reporting hearing loss. While some of this is due to aging and other factors, exposure to loud noise also is a leading cause hearing loss. Noise from fireworks can reach up to 155 decibels. To put this into perspective, this is louder than a jet plane taking off (150 decibels from 25 meters away) or a jackhammer (approx. 100 decibels). Damage to hearing can come from multiple lifetime exposures as well as a one-time blast,. According to the Centers for Disease Control, loud noise over 120 decibels may cause immediate harm to hearing.
Surprisingly, the greatest risk to hearing is not the professional fireworks displays (although these can pose a risk), but rather the backyard fireworks people use themselves to celebrate. “Never hold a firework or firecracker, with the intention to throw it before it explodes. Even if you do throw it in time (to avoid injury to your hands and face), if it is anywhere close to you when it explodes, your hearing can be immediately and permanently damaged,” cautioned Catherine Palmer, Ph.D., president of the American Academy of Audiology; associate professor, University of Pittsburgh and director of Audiology for the UPMC Health System. “The inner ear contains delicate hair cells which do not regrow. Once these are damaged by noise, the result will be permanent hearing loss.”
Signs of hearing loss may include:
Hearing ringing, buzzing, or hissing noises one or more days after exposure to fireworks.
Muffled hearing after the fireworks.
Suddenly having to turn up the volume of the television, radio, or stereo and having other family members complain that the volume is too loud.
Difficulty understanding people speaking to you and asking people to repeat themselves.
Difficulty with phone conversations and understanding the other person.
Sudden inability to hear the door bell, crickets, the dog barking, and other household sounds.
People telling you that you speak too loudly.
The National Institutes of Health recommends using ear plugs or other hearing protection when around fireworks or other loud noises. Children are particularly vulnerable. “Children are at particular risk for hearing loss from ‘backyard’ fireworks displays, because of their excitement and curiosity and wishing to be close to the activity,” Palmer explained.
The numbers of Americans facing hearing loss is at a record high and rising annually. Outdoor activities can pose a significant threat to hearing health. More than 40 million Americans have some type of hearing loss with approximately 10 million of those are attributable to noise-induced hearing loss—exposure to loud noise.
The American Academy of Audiology recommends that anyone experiencing hearing loss or suspecting they may have hearing loss see an audiologist. For more information, or to find an audiologist, visit www.howsyourhearing.org.
The American Academy of Audiology is the world’s largest professional organization of, by and for audiologists. Representing the interests of approximately 14,000 audiologists nationwide, the Academy is dedicated to providing quality hearing care services through professional development, education, research, and increased public awareness of hearing and balance disorders. For more information or to find an audiologist, go to www.howsyourhearing.org.
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