Fireworks, marching bands can harm hearing

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CHICAGO, June 26 (UPI) -- People who spend time outdoors in the summer may risk hearing damage from the sound of fireworks, concerts and road construction, a U.S. audiologist warns.

Jyoti Bhayani, a certified audiologist at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, part of Loyola University Health System, said 10 percent of Americans have hearing loss that affects their ability to understand normal speech. Aging is the most common cause of the condition but exposure to excessive noise can damage hearing in higher pitches.

"Fireworks, lawnmowers, concerts and road construction can be harmful to your hearing. And once hearing is damaged, it cannot be repaired," Bhayani said in a statement. "Hearing loss due to excessive noise is totally preventable, unlike hearing loss due to old age or a medical condition."

The American Academy of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery said earplugs should be used for prolonged exposure to noise at 85 decibels or higher such as:

-- 90 decibels: Subway or train, lawnmower, shop tools.

-- 115 decibels: Loud rock concert, sandblasting, car horn.

-- 150 decibels: Fireworks/jet engine takeoff.

"It is important to know the intensity of the sounds around you," Bhayani said. "I recommend using hearing protection devices for those who are exposed to excessive, loud noises and musician's earplugs, which simply attenuate the intensity/loudness without altering frequency response."