Noise Pollution in Cities Linked to Hearing Loss 

Everyone knows that the sounds around you has an effect on your hearing health. Those working in noisy sectors like construction, manufacturing, or farming face higher rates of hearing loss from constant exposure to loud noises. Law enforcement or musicians are far more likely to suffer from hearing loss than office workers or librarians. That’s just common sense. But have you ever stopped to think about the daily noise pollution you encounter every day in the city?

City Living Affects Hearing Health

The Centers for Disease Control report that noisy environments are one of the leading causes of hearing loss, along with workplace noise and age-related hearing loss. City streets are crowded with honking taxis, busses with squeaky brakes, idling delivery trucks, and endless streams of traffic. Pedestrians, pets, and the elementary school on the corner all add to the noise pollution we experience every day.

Studying Hearing Loss in Cities

Researchers looked at data from Mimi along with stats from the World Health Organization and the SINTEF report on noise pollution to see how city noise and hearing loss are linked. They found that living in cities has a frightening impact on hearing health. Among the noisiest cities in the world are New Delhi, India, Guangzhou, China, and Cairo, Egypt. In these cities, Mimi revealed that people experience high levels of hearing loss, and their test scores were closer to what would normally be found in someone 10 – 20 years older. So a 50 year old who took the hearing test had a score expected from a 65 year old. City noise pollution is rapidly aging your ears!

Even in the top ten quietest cities in the world, including Zurich, Switzerland, Oslo, Norway, and Portland, hearing was affected. Test scores still showed significantly increased rates of hearing loss for anyone living in major cities around the world.

Take Steps to Protect Your Hearing

City noises could be damaging our hearing. What can we do about it? Even in quieter cities like Portland, people still had higher rates of hearing loss than small cities or rural areas. If you’re living in a city, it’s time to think seriously about your hearing health and recognize the daily dangers. Always protect your hearing. If your daily commute is noisy, wear hearing protection on the bus. If you’re heading to a concert or a noisy sports stadium, make sure your earplugs are in your bag. Whenever possible, avoid noise exposure and be aware that the seemingly innocent sounds around you could be leading to serious health outcomes.

Never use music to drown out the noise. If you want to listen to music during your workout or on the way to work, consider investing in a pair of noise cancelling headphones. With normal earbuds, it’s tempting to reach for the volume control to shut out the honks and squealing brakes. You’re not doing your ears any favors though, as this will place even more strain on your already tired ears. Remember the 60/60 rule. Never listen at more than 60% of the maximum volume of your phone, and take a break after 60 minutes to give your ears a rest.

Take a Hearing Test

The first step is to test your hearing. “While eye and sight checks are routine for most,” says Dr. Manfred Gross from Charité University Hospital, Berlin, “ear and hearing exams are not.” This is problematic, because the longer you live with undetected and untreated hearing loss, the greater the damage to your hearing will be. Once damaged, your ears will never be the same again, so routine testing to detect hearing loss early is important.

Do you think the city noise has been getting to your ears? Smartphone technologies like Mimi are an easy way to get information about your hearing health, and a quick hearing score. For a hearing test that reviews your past medical history and provides personalized results, visit us today at Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services to take the first step for your hearing health.