FIKKIA NEWS – Exposure to loud noises doesn't always immediately alert a person to hearing loss. Symptoms such as ringing in the ears, a feeling of fullness, or muffled speech are often dismissed as temporary. However, these symptoms can be signs that the ears have experienced pressure from noise exposure.
This condition is a concern, especially amidst the increasing use of high intensity loudspeaker systems or what are popularly called sound horeg. The risk to hearing is determined not only by how loud the sound is, but also by how long and how often a person is exposed.
Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist doctor, Dr. Citra Dwi Novastuti, Sp.THTBKL, explains that a person may feel their hearing return to normal after moving away from the source of the loud noise. However, this does not always indicate that the hearing system has fully recovered.
Also read: Sound Horeg and Hearing Loss: Understanding the Limits of the Human Ear's Capabilities
“In the presentation sound horeg With very high sound intensity, a person can experience hearing damage. Hearing usually returns to normal after moving away from the sound source. However, if exposure continues at high intensity, for a long time, and at frequent frequencies, it can result in severe hearing loss. irreversible, "He explained.
This means that someone who experiences hearing loss cannot return to normal.
Upon initial exposure to loud noise, a person's hearing threshold may temporarily increase. This can cause a feeling of deafness, fullness, or ringing in the ears. Symptoms may improve within hours to days. However, repeated, long-term exposure can still increase the risk of permanent hearing loss.
What If My Ears Are Ringing?
Tinnitus Ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, is one of the signs that Citra says shouldn't be ignored after someone has been in a very noisy environment. In addition to ringing, a person may also experience a feeling of fullness or blockage in the ears, muffled speech, difficulty understanding speech, and even pain or discomfort in the ears.
“Especially if the complaint lasts more than 24–48 hours"This condition needs to be taken into account," he said.
Risks can also arise from sudden exposure to very loud sounds. This condition is known as acoustic trauma. According to him, exposure to very loud sounds at one time, such as explosions, gunshots, or being very close to... speaker with extreme intensity, can result in acoustic trauma with signs such as tinnitus or significant and sudden hearing loss.
Human Hearing Protection
So, does the human ear have a protective mechanism against extremely loud sounds? Naturally, the auditory system does have limitations in its ability to receive sound energy. However, this mechanism does not mean humans are safe from continuous exposure to extreme noise.
“Even if you feel 'normal' at times, repeated and prolonged exposure to very loud sounds can increase your risk. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss which is permanent," explained Dr. Citra.
Therefore, hearing protection is an important step when someone is in an environment with very loud noises. earplug or earmuff can help reduce the risk of noise exposure. In conditions with very high sound intensity, both can even be used simultaneously as double hearing protection.
Limit Exposure to Repeated Loud Noises
In addition to using protective equipment, limiting exposure is also important. Citra reminds the public, especially young people, to be more mindful of their habits when listening to music with headphones or in environments with high noise levels.
“Turn down the volume, remember? rule of 60:60", a maximum of 60 percent volume and a maximum of 60 minutes. Stay away from sources of loud noise and limit exposure, especially if you enjoy using headsets or earphones to listen to music. Use ear protection in very noisy environments. "Protecting your hearing from a young age means maintaining your ability to communicate and enjoy sound well into old age," he advised.
Fenomena sound horeg Ultimately, it's not a question of whether the human ear has a "special type" that can withstand extreme sounds. The human ear shares the same biological structure and has limitations in how it can handle exposure to sound energy. When exposure is too high, too long, and too frequent, the risk of damage can increase.
Awareness of hearing health is crucial, especially since damage to the hair cells of the human cochlea cannot regenerate. Enjoying music and entertainment is certainly not something to avoid. However, understanding exposure limits, maintaining distance from sound sources, limiting exposure time, and using ear protection are simple steps to maintain long-term hearing ability.
Author: Princess Ajeng Aprisa Simorangkir
Editor: Avicenna C. Nisa