Prolonged exposure to noise over 105dB can lead to permanent hearing loss. Many such activities can lead to such a tragic experience. While most such activities are related to loud sounds, some are infection or eardrum damage related.
Outdoor Concerts: Sound levels at the concert sound levels can exceed 100 dB, and anything over 85dB for a prolonged exposure can lead to temporary hearing loss.
Motorcycles and speedboats: Riding a bike over 60 miles per hour without a helmet can make you experience wind whose noise levels often exceed 103dB. It is even louder than a chainsaw and can lead to permanent hearing loss.
Target shooting: Firearms are known to create a loud sound that can exceed 140dB that can immediately lead to permanent hearing loss. This makes firearm ranges without earplugs extremely dangerous.
Fireworks Display: Firework displays and fireworks can exceed 125 dB, loud enough to damage hearing.
Games: Major league games, sports, and stadiums produce an average sound of over 94dB and can reach 114db. To put things into perspective, 94db for 30 minutes of exposure can put you at risk of hearing loss.
Cotton Swabs & Q-Tips: Cotton swabs and Q-Tips are the most common cause of eardrum damage that results in hearing loss. Along with pushing the ear dirt inward and making the ear too clean, they also directly damage the eardrum.
