Hi. I want to know what causes NIHL. Although being aware of decibel levels is an important factor in protecting one’s hearing, I want to know which sounds can be dangerous. I mean, are there some sounds that can particularly affect hearing. Does these sounds need to be repeated?
NIHL can be caused by a one-time exposure to an explosion, or by continuous exposure to loud sounds over an extended period of time, such as noise generated in a woodworking shop. That means that causes of NIHL are depending on loudness of sound which is measured in decibels. Long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 decibels can cause hearing loss. Also, distance from the source of the sound and duration of exposure to the sound are equally important. So my advice is to avoid noises that are “too loud” and “too close” or that last “too long.”