Newswise — We live in a noisy world. Traffic, construction, stereo and airport noise can disrupt our sleep, work and play, and has been linked to stress-related health problems. If sufficiently loud and prolonged, some of the noises we encounter during our average day -- whether from the Big Dig construction site or from your iPod -- can cause permanent hearing loss. According to Brian Fligor, ScD, CCC-A, director of the Diagnostic Audiology Program and Clinical Researcher in Audiology at Children's Hospital Boston, noise-induced hearing loss is the second most common cause of hearing loss, falling only behind age-related hearing loss. "Because of the noises in today's world, hearing loss is appearing much earlier in life than would have been expected 30 years ago," says Fligor. "We also know that 5.2 million children and teenagers have early signs of noise-induced hearing loss. There is no "cure" for noise-induced hearing loss. Once hearing is gone, it will not come back, so prevention is the key."
Fligor's research has determined safe listening levels for volume and length of time on various portable devices.
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