Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

What to know

  • Preventing loud sounds is key to protecting your hearing.
  • Avoid noisy situations to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.
  • If you can’t avoid the noise, use adequate hearing protection.
child at racing event

How to Prevent Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

The effect of noise on hearing depends on how loud the noise is and how long the noise lasts. If you need to shout in order to be heard, the sound is too loud and may damage your hearing.

To protect your hearing, we suggest you:

  1. Turn the volume down.
  2. Walk away from loud noise.
  3. Take breaks from noise.
  4. Avoid loud, noisy activities and places.
  5. Use hearing protection.

Avoiding noisy situations is the best prevention. When you can't avoid loud noise, use hearing protection.

The choice of hearing protection device depends on your personal preferences of comfort and where you will wear it. The most common types of hearing protection devices include:

  • Insert-type earplugs, such as those that are pre-molded, formable, or custom-molded.
  • Earmuffs, which come in many models and are designed to fit most people.
  • Specially made devices that can be styled and sized for a person's individual ear.

There is no medical or surgical treatment for noise-induced hearing loss. If you believe you have noise-induced hearing loss, be sure to:

  • contact your doctor,
  • protect your hearing as much as possible, and
  • take steps to keep your hearing from getting worse.
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Content Source:
National Center for Environmental Health