Daily activities like mowing the lawn, attending concerts, and certain occupations like factory work, farming, and the military can expose individuals to noise levels that can cause noise-induced hearing loss over time. NIHL is preventable if proper precautions are taken such as wearing hearing protection during loud noise exposure, turning down music players, and walking away from loud noises when possible. Resources are available to learn more about identifying dangerous noise levels and finding treatment options for any resulting hearing loss.

1. 
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
By: Michele Frye, Bree Cumbers, Dana Brown, and Caiti Enger
Picture found at: www.audiology.org

2. What can cause noise-induced
hearing loss?
 Daily Activities
 Mowing the lawn
 Working with power tools
 Attending concerts
 Listening to iPod with ear buds
 Shooting at the fire range
 Snowmobile riding
 Sitting in traffic

3. What can cause noise-induced
hearing loss?
 Occupations
 Factory workers
 Farmers
 Paramedics
 Musicians
 Military personnel
 Construction workers
 Beautician
 Continuous exposure to hair dryers
Occupational hearing loss, due to noise exposure, is
the most common work-related injury in the U.S.
www.cdc.gov

4. Prevention
Noise-induced hearing
loss (NIHL) is 100%
preventable and can
occur at any age.
www.nidcd.nih.gov

5. How to protect your hearing?
Know what noises can cause damage
 Noises at or above 85 decibels (dB)
Follow the rule: Noise is dangerous if you have to
shout to heard, the noise causes your ears to ring,
and/or the noise is painful to your ears
www.audiology.org

6. www.audiology.org

7. How to protect your hearing?
Wear hearing protection such as ear
muffs or ear plugs
Follow the rule: Wear hearing protection
with noises that are “too loud” and “too
close” or that last “too long”
www.nidcd.nih.gov

8. How to protect your hearing?
TURN IT DOWN!
 iPods, televisions, and car stereos
 Follow the rule: When listening to music with
ear buds, if the person next to you can hear the
music, TURN IT DOWN!
www.audiology.org

9. How to protect your hearing?
Walk Away
The easiest way to prevent NIHL is to simply avoid
loud noises.
Follow the rule: Reduce exposure to noise by moving
back 10 to 15 feet from the noise source OR limit
exposure time
www.audiology.org

10. Resources
 For more information on noise-induced hearing loss
visit and workplace safety:
 www.cdc.gov/noish/topics/noise/
 www.howsyourhearing.org
 If you are experiencing any signs of hearing loss visit:
 www.audiology.org to find an audiologist in your
area.