Noise represents the auditory sensation with an unpleasant character in relation to human activity, which can cause changes both at the level of the whole organism and especially at the level of the auditory apparatus.
Symptomatology of sound trauma
Practical tips for preventing sound trauma
Noise can be of several types:
- impulsive – with a duration of action of the order of milliseconds
- continuous – with a duration of action of the order of seconds
- mixed
The harmfulness of noise on the hearing aid depends on the type of noise, its duration and intensity. The human ear can protect itself from noise up to intensities of 80-85 dB, above this limit the noise can cause reversible or irreversible damage to hearing, leading to temporary or permanent deafness.
Sound trauma
Sound traumas are auditory alterations that occur as a result of noise exposure:
- Acute sound traumas – appear either as a result of exposure to impulsive noises, of high intensities up to 150dB, for a few seconds (explosions, gunshots), or as a result of exposure to continuous noises, of intensities on average of 100dB, for several minutes to hours; we can meet such noises in discotheques (100-110dB), rock concerts (120-130dB), walkman (90-110dB), sound toys (100dB to 140dB), airplane engines, motorcycles (100dB)
- Chronic sound traumas – appear as a result of professional exposure to mixed noises, of 80-85dB intensity, 6-8h/day, several years in a row. These types of sound trauma are found in miners, workers on construction sites, in factories, in airports, radio operators, disc jockeys, military personnel, musicians in the orchestra
Symptomatology of sound trauma
The main symptom of acute sound trauma is a sudden decrease in hearing. It can be of varying degrees, from mild to severe or even deep, depending on the causative factor. It can be accompanied by auricular pain, the sensation of a blocked ear, sensitivity to noise, ringing or ringing in the ear and sometimes dizziness and balance disorders.
In the case of professional exposure to noise, hearing loss is progressive and can be felt as difficulty in perceiving speech in noisy spaces or often as ringing in the ears.
Diagnosis of sound trauma
The diagnosis of sound trauma is based on the patient’s history, ENT clinical examination, radiological examinations (where applicable) and numerous audiological and vestibular tests.
Treatment of sound trauma
In the case of acute sound trauma, the treatment must be instituted as soon as possible, preferably within the first 24 hours, and consists of the administration of steroid anti-inflammatories, vasodilators, vitamin therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, accompanied by surgical treatment, where necessary, to restore the anatomical integrity of the ear ( restoration of the tympanic membrane, the ossicles in the middle ear, the membrane that separates the middle ear from the inner ear, etc.).
In the case of deafness due to professional exposure to noise, the treatment consists of hearing aids, changing the profession or using protective headphones, vasodilator and neurotrophic therapy for wheezing or hearing aids that mask the wheezing.
Sound trauma prognosis
In acute sound trauma through exposure to impulsive noises, the prognosis is very good. If treatment is instituted quickly, complete recovery is between 75% and 100% of cases.
In acute sound traumas through exposure to continuous noises, the prognosis is unfavorable, and the hearing loss can progress even in the case of fast and correct application of the treatment.
In sound trauma through professional exposure to noise, the prognosis is good in the sense that the hearing loss does not progress if the exposure to noise stops.
Practical tips for preventing sound trauma
- Always wear protective headphones if you work in a noisy environment
- Do not buy noisy toys for children
- Do not go to discos or concerts with children – they are much more prone to sound trauma and they will not even know how to signal their appearance to you
- Do not listen to loud music with headphones
Urgently see the ENT doctor if the ear is unexplainably blocked or wheezing and does not recover within 24 hours!
