fireworks-can-permanently-damage-your-hearing

Every year, many people experience some damage to their hearing which is mainly caused by fireworks and firecrackers. Protect your ears; considering the fact whether or not fireworks will have the potential to cause hearing loss. Exposure to very loud sounds can damage partially or completely damage one’s hearing. The impact of damage caused due to a loud noise or the extent of the damage depends on the intensity of sound and its duration to which your ears were exposed.
Exposure to loud sounds can cause the following:

• Tinnitus – ringing in the ears which can be a symptom of hearing loss.
• Acoustic trauma – this could be a permanent damage due to the effect of exposure to a very high level of sound which is unbearable for a person that can damage the ear drum and cause dislocation of the middle ear bones, bleeding from the ears, hearing loss and a ringing sensation in the ear. An even higher intensity may cause leakage of inner ear fluid leading to permanent hearing loss associated with dizziness.
• Temporary threshold shift – slight decline in hearing which usually only lasts 24 hours.
• Permanent threshold shift – this is a permanent damage, a hearing loss that does not recover.

Also, more attention should be given to children who are exposed to the fireworks or those who participate in burning crackers and stay outside during Diwali. Some babies are even more sensitive to loud noises; they are likely to feel frightened after a sudden loud noise so make sure you protect their ears with baby ear muffs or cotton balls and take them inside to comfort them. Also make sure you don’t delay in checking up with a paediatrician if you find a change in your baby’s hearing behaviour after Diwali or exposure to sudden loud sounds.
Here’s what you can do to protect your ears this Diwali (also, at times when you feel you’re exposed to a lot of noise pollution):
1) Wear ear plugs – protect your hearing! Over the ear headphones or earplugs are very effective for preventing hearing damage. Silicon hearing plugs or cheap foam ones which are easily available in the pharmacy are very effective as well as convenient as they not only allow you to hear music and speech but also block loud noises.
2) Distance matters – make sure you sit at a comfortable distance from the high sound zone. Just by being 500 feet away from the fireworks or loud sounds would certainly protect your hearing.
3) Cotton balls – even if you’re not close to the crackers, stuffing cotton balls will be a lot of help in protecting your ears. Best way to prevent a hearing damage is to watch the fireworks from inside your house or your car.
4) Hearing aid – if you’re already someone with a hearing loss, its best advised to use your hearing aid your doctor has recommended.
The best way to stay safe and avoid a hearing problem is prevention. Avoid loud noises, as much as you can. Avoid being close to high intensity sound bombs; missiles and rockets. It’s not only about Diwali, but also at times when you feel your ears can’t bear a loud sound you must keep away from it.