[Ohio-talk] Fw: Leisure Time Noise

[Dr. Smith]

fyi

jw

Dr. J. Webster Smith
President National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
P.O.BOX 458 Athens, Ohio, 45701-0458
Phone Number - 740-592-6326 
"Changing What it Means to be Blind"
----- Original Message ----- 
From: COHEAR at aol.com 
To: COHEAR at aol.com 
Sent: Wednesday, April 07, 2010 2:43 AM
Subject: Leisure Time Noise


Leisure Time Noise from http://www.hear-it.org/

Having a great time can be unsettling for your ears. 
Hermine Willey
HLAA Central Ohio Chapter

Recently, researchers found that you risk your hearing if you cruise down the highway in a convertible with the top down.
Generally, people who often participate in leisure activities with average noise levels above 90 dB increase their risk of suffering hearing loss by 10 percent, according to a study published in the periodical, Audiology. Certain activities bring an increase in risk of 30 percent. 

An average noise level of 70-78 dB is similar to rush hour traffic, which can be annoying but not dangerous unless you are in it for long periods of time. However, the maximum levels and the percentage of time in the dangerous zone are a completely different story. A person should not, for instance, be exposed to a sound level of 110 dB for more than one minute and 29 seconds each day. 

Noise levels in a football stadium can reach as high as 117 dB. At this level, just four minutes of exposure could cause permanent hearing loss. Hearing loss typically happens gradually, and being at one game in a stadium is unlikely to result in permanent damage. You are more likely to experience temporary hearing loss, but this is an indication that some damage has occurred. 

Did you also know that

The impulse noise from firearms is as intense as 132-165 dB and thus extremely dangerous to your hearing. 
On a motorcycle ride at 100 kilometers per hour (63 miles per hour) sound levels range between 103 dB and 116 dB. 
At sound levels as high as 115dB in some video arcades, young guests risk hearing loss in just 30 seconds.

Read more:

Convertibles damaging hearing  <http://www.hear-it.org/page.dsp?page=6790> 
Live music in moderation  <http://www.hear-it.org/page.dsp?page=6276> 
Motorcycles hazardous to your hearing  <http://www.hear-it.org/page.dsp?page=3597> 
Gunshot blasts pose serious hazard to hearing <http://www.hear-it.org/page.dsp?page=1597> 
No reason for loud music at fitness centres  <http://www.hear-it.org/page.dsp?page=610> 
Video arcades causing hearing loss and tinnitus  <http://www.hear-it.org/page.dsp?page=6628> 
Waiter, can I have some earplugs, please? <http://www.hear-it.org/page.dsp?page=1607> 
Golf shots affecting hearing  <http://www.hear-it.org/page.dsp?page=6416>