Hearing is one of the most vital five senses – alerting us to danger in the case of sirens or accidents; and bringing us joy at the sound of conversation and laughter.
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) says sounds at or above 85 decibels can damage hearing. A normal conversation is about 60 decibels. By comparison, a bulldozer, for instance, is 100. Some work environments cause on-going harm, but a one-time loud noise (think of a gunshot) can damage hearing permanently. Motorcycles, hairdryers, lawn mowers, firecrackers, and ambulances also break the 85-decibel level.
Here are seven things you can do to protect your precious ears.
1. Vitamins A, C, and E
According to ScienceDaily, a University of Michigan study found that high doses of vitamins A, C, and E as well as magnesium taken an hour before exposure to loud noises (and continued once a day for five days) helped prevent permanent hearing loss caused by loud noises. It is believed that the nutrients in the vitamins protect against inner-ear cell damage.
