Dr. Jim Surrell, Journal columnist

In addition to this month being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October is also our National Protect Your Hearing Month. This following valuable information on how we all should protect our hearing is from our very informative National Institutes of Health.

We all need to be aware that sounds that are too loud for too long can damage our hearing permanently. The louder the noise, the faster it can damage our hearing. This month, during our National Protect Your Hearing Month, the NIH encourages everyone to learn about Noise Induced Hearing Loss and to also learn the steps we all can take.

The following are the most common sources of hearing loss. Very loud noise, such as using firearms, can cause you to lose your hearing almost instantly. You can also damage your hearing in less than 15 minutes at loud sporting events or concerts or when listening to music through headphones at a high volume. If the noise is not seem too loud but lasts a long time, such as when using noisy yard or farm equipment, hearing damage can also occur, but it happens more slowly. Noise induced hearing loss can happen to anyone at any age. Up to 24 percent of American adults under age 70 may have hearing loss due to noise exposure in one or both ears. Other studies have suggested that 13 to 18 percent of U.S. teens have signs of possible hearing loss from frequently listening to loud noises on various electronic devices.

When sounds are too loud for too long, tiny bundles of hair-like structures that sit on top of hair cells in the inner ear are damaged. When hair cells are damaged, they cannot respond to sound. In humans, hair cells cannot be fixed or replaced, so the hearing loss is permanent. Because noise induced hearing loss can build slowly over time, you might not notice the early signs of hearing loss.

The following are very good suggestions from the NIH to help us all avoid hearing loss.

≤ Lower the volume on your personal devices. Know that loud noises over time can cause hearing loss. If you use headphones or ear buds, keep the volume low.

≤ Move away from the noises you may not be able to control. If you cannot lower the volume, put some distance between you and the source.

≤ Wear hearing protectors, such as earplugs or earmuffs, when you’re involved in a noisy activity, such as mowing the lawn, using power tools, playing loud music, or attending a loud concert or loud sporting event. Various types of earplugs and earmuffs are available from many sources, including many local stores, and online as well.

≤ It is also very important to protect the ears of children who are too young to protect their hearing on their own.

Further, please be sure to share his information as to how we all should protect our hearing with family, friends, and colleagues. We all need to be very responsible to protect our own hearing and to help others to do so as well. Now hear this, and follow doctor’s orders!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Jim Surrell is the author of the best-selling SOS (Stop Only Sugar) Diet book and his new joke book, entitled “Laughter Is Good Medicine.” Dr. Jim’s website is sosdietbook.com.