What are the effects of noise-induced hearing loss?
• The effect from sound can be instantaneous and can result in an immediate hearing loss that may be permanent. • The structures of the inner ear may be severely damaged. This kind of hearing loss may be accompanied by tinnitus (an experience of sound like ringing, buzzing or roaring in the ears or head) which may subside over time. Hearing loss and tinnitus may be experienced in one or both ears, and tinnitus may continue constantly or intermittently throughout a lifetime. • The damage that occurs slowly over years of exposure to loud noise is accompanied by various changes in the structure of the hair cells. It also results in hearing loss and tinnitus. • Exposure to impulse and continuous noise may cause only a temporary hearing loss. If the hearing recovers, the temporary hearing loss is called a temporary threshold shift. The temporary threshold shift largely disappears within 16 hours after exposure to loud noise. • Hearing that does not recover is because permanent damage has oc
