Convertible drivers ‘at noise-induced hearing loss risk’
October 7th, 2009 - 1:43 pm ICT by ANIWashington, Oct 7 (ANI): Love to drive with the top down? Well, you might be enjoying having the wind in your hair but you may be risking serious damage to your ears.
According to a research presented at the 2009 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO, in San Diego, CA, cruising with the top down at speeds of 50-70mph (80-112km/h) exposes the ears to sound levels sometimes nearing those made by a pneumatic drill.
The prospective study of the convertible-driving experience measured noise levels at speeds of 50, 60, and 70 miles per hour (mph), and indicated that drivers are consistently exposed to between 88 and 90 DbA, with a high of 99 Db. Long or repeated exposure to sounds over 85 Db is widely recognized to cause permanent hearing loss. Road surface, traffic congestion, wind noise, and driving speed were all contributing factors.
Furthermore, the simple act of keeping car windows raised would significantly reduce noise exposure levels to 82 dB, even with the top down.
The authors suggest that motorcycle riders might be looked to as a positive example, because while they are consistently exposed to louder noise levels, as a group they more frequently use ear protection. (ANI)
- Driving a convertible could be hazardous to health - Jan 05, 2011
- Men 'at almost 3-fold noise-induced hearing loss risk' - Oct 06, 2009
- Popular toys could damage hearing of children - Dec 19, 2011
- New links between chronic rhinosinusitis, depression established - Oct 08, 2009
- Most Brits risking hearing with MP3 volumes louder than pneumatic drill - May 03, 2011
- Secondhand smoke linked to deafness - Jul 19, 2011
- Exposure to environmental allergens tied to chronic laryngitis - Sep 23, 2008
- Chronic rhinosinusitis patients going for alternative medicine - Oct 05, 2009
- Brazilians see facial beauty differently than North Americans - Oct 05, 2009
- Sleep disorder patients at higher depression risk - Sep 22, 2008
- Listening to an iPod for an hour can impair hearing - Jun 22, 2010
- Novel minimally invasive technique to treat snoring - Oct 05, 2009
- Radiofrequncy-tonsillotomy better treatment option for kids with enlarged tonsils - Oct 05, 2009
- Chinese martial arts Tai Chi offers effective treatment for dizziness, balance disorders - Oct 05, 2009
- Curcumin may protect smokers from nicotine-induced head, neck cancers - Oct 05, 2009
Tags: american academy of otolaryngology head and neck surger, car windows, driving experience, ear protection, exposure levels, head and neck surgery, miles per hour, motorcycle riders, neck surgery foundation, noise exposure, noise induced hearing loss, noise levels, oct 7, oto expo, pneumatic drill, prospective study, road surface, san diego ca, traffic congestion, wind noise