Frequently asked questions related to loud sounds

Recently I was visiting the EAR site, www.e-a-r.com, to review specifications of disposable ear plugs. They have an excellent FAQ section with responses prepared by an expert in hearing protection devices, Elliott Berger, MS, audiologist. He frequently answers consumer and audiologist questions on noise inducted hearing loss and hearing conservation. He has responded to a number of questions that frequently come up in our office. I have listed these questions below with links to his original response as well as a copy of the response on our web site in pdf format.

• Can automotive air bags that deploy during an accident cause hearing loss, tinnitus, and sensitivity to loud sound? The short answer is Yes. You can visit the EAR FAQ site here for more detailed information. I also placed a link here (about 25kb's to download). to a pdf document with his response.
  
  
• Can listening to loud music during an aerobics class damage my hearing? You probably won't permanently damage your hearing after just one session, but repeated noise exposure definitely can cause permanent hearing loss. If your ears are ringing and/or feel plugged after the session, you probably have a temporary hearing loss. You can visit the EAR FAQ site here for more detailed information. I also placed a link here (about 90kb's to download). to a pdf document with his response.
  
  
• I am out with a friend shooting or cutting firewood and I forgot my ear protection. I had some cigarette butts that I pushed in my ears to protect my hearing. I should be OK? No, Cigarette butts are just about useless for protecting you hearing. What makes a good cigarette filter and what makes a good ear plug are almost opposites. The filters on cigarettes allow you to draw in air, and this also allows for sound to pass through without much decrease in loudness. The best thing that you can do if you are stuck next to someone cutting firewood or shooting is to back up and plug your ears with your fingers. You can visit the Audiology Online site here for more detailed information. I also placed a link here (about 290kb's to download). to a pdf document with his response.
  
  
• Isn't there a pill that prevents hearing loss and can reverse nerve damage? Maybe for the first part of the question and definitely no for the second part if the hearing loss was long standing. There have been trials with animals and subsequent published data that looks encouraging using an antioxidant over-the-counter supplement. However, there is no information on human trials and I still urge all of my patient's to protect their hearing whenever exposed to loud sound. You can visit the EAR FAQ site here for more detailed information. Dr Dobie provides the actual response. I also placed a link here (about 60kb's to download). to a pdf document with his response.