Hearing loss blamed on noisy societies

Press, 16 June 1982, Page 16

Hearing loss blamed on noisy societies

Noisy societies are responsible for an increasing number of school-leavers found to be suffering from a hearing loss, says renowned audiologist, Professor R. W. Keith. Professor Keith, from, the University of Cincinnati, was in Christchurch this week during a . lecture tour. ■■■ ' He said that an increasing number of 16-year-olds to 19 : year-olds were found to have damaged their hearing by listening to loud music through headphones. Exposure to music, for long periods of time using-port-able tape recorders and headphones could, . if the music was loud enough, do irreversible damage to their hearing.. Hearing aids had been greatly improved recently. They were now smaller and

had very good frequency responses. “Many people might have

tried a hearing aid years ago and did not find them satisfactory,” he said. “But now they could find one that is good.” , Workers at noisy workplaces, people using power tools,, chainsaws, and noisy motorbikes ran a high risk of damaging their auditory nerve, said Professor Keith. The 'damage could often not be repaired, but that type of deafness was preventable, he said. Much could be done to reduce industrial noise if workers and management co-operated. People' with hearing .difficulties should be encouraged to seek medical help as the level of care in New Zealand was high. Although a delay might not worsen the problem, waiting would isolate a person for longer, said Professor Keith. - ■