The quality of our global environment is deteriorating rapidly. As an Academy of over 9,200 physicians, we have a special responsibility to reverse this trend. The relationship between environmental factors and many diseases is well documented. The hearing loss of approximately 10 million is at least partially attributable to exposure to loud sound. More than 20 million Americans are regularly exposed to hazardous noise.
Children are particularly vulnerable to excessive noise, which can permanently damage hearing.
In addition to loudness, the length of exposure and the proximity to the source increase damaging effects. For example, factory noise may not harm your hearing during the early period of employment, but exposure for 8 hours a day for 10 or more years is likely to cause damage. Explosive sounds such as gun shots can cause hearing loss with a single exposure. Increased effort required for understanding speech leads to fatigue, anxiety and stress. Resulting isolation and loneliness are common feelings.