How can excessive noise damage hearing?

Excessive noise damages hearing primarily by causing physical trauma to the components of the ear, with the severity of the injury depending on the sound's intensity and duration.12

Mechanisms of Damage

• Inner Ear Destruction: Repeated exposure to sounds exceeding 80 to 90 decibels can cause the gradual deterioration of hearing by destroying the hair cells of the inner ear. This damage is often irreversible and may lead to the subsequent degeneration of nerve fibers.132
• Mechanical Trauma: Extremely intense sounds, such as explosions, can cause immediate acoustic trauma. This may result in a ruptured tympanic membrane (eardrum) or the dislocation and fracture of the small bones in the middle ear.2
• Nonauditory Effects: Beyond hearing loss, high-level noise can affect the vestibular system, leading to disorientation, dizziness, and motion sickness.2

It is a fundamental ethical principle to protect human health from preventable harm; therefore, using ear protection in high-noise environments is essential to prevent permanent hearing loss and associated physiological stress.23