Power Washers
Is there a hearing aid in your future?

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Me...a hearing aid?
Just ask a veteran mobile washer a question and he is likely to answer a question you never asked. Why? It’s because constant exposure to small engine noise can have an extremely debilitating effect on the inner ears increasing the risk of eventual hearing loss.

If he isn’t wearing a hearing aid yet, it may not be long before he starts. To get an idea of what partial hearing loss is all about spend a few hours at home wearing ear plugs to simulate hearing loss. While in some situations this may seem like bliss you will soon come to the realization of how much we really depend on this critical sensory ability.

Noise and hearing loss:

When the ears are exposed to prolonged loud noise, the inner ears can be damaged, beginning the eventual need for a hearing aid . About 30 million Americans suffer from hearing loss. Approximately one-third (that’s 10 million!) Suffer from hearing loss which is noise-induced. I'm not sure at this point how many employ the hearing aid as a solution but it's a substantial number.

So what’s a loud noise anyway?

Noise, is measured in decibels. Normal conversations are about 60 decibels. Anything twice this level can harm the ears and lead to hearing loss. According to the
American Academy of Otolaryngology(say what??)

noise is damaging if:

you have to shout to be heard.
your ears hurt.
your ears ring.
you have difficulty hearing for a couple of hours after the exposure.

Damage can occur from a brief, intense noise such as an explosion, or from continuous loud noises such as noises in a loud work environment. Hearing loss from loud noises may be immediate or occur slowly over years of continuous exposure.

Prolonged exposure to noise can actually change the structure of the hair cells in the inner ear, resulting in hearing loss. Tinnitus, which is the sound of ringing, roaring, buzzing, or clicking inside the head, often occurs with prolonged noise exposure damage, as well.

Hearing loss can occur after a one-time exposure to a loud noise or after repeated exposure to varying loud noises. Exposure to loud noises can occur at work, at home, or at play. Examples of noises that can cause hearing loss either immediately or over time include:

Recreational activities

firing guns and other weapons
snowmobiles
go-carts
motorcycles
power horns
model airplanes
cap guns

At home

garbage disposal
vacuum cleaner
lawn mower
leaf blower
shop tools

At work

gas powered pressure washing equipment
woodworking equipment
chain saws
sandblasting
heavy construction
jet engines
other noisy machinery

A hearing aid doesn’t have to happen to you!

When you know you will be exposed to loud noises,(ok,ok...I'll write quieter) either temporarily or over a longer period, using ear plugs or ear muffs can help prevent hearing loss. Ear plugs, which fit into the outer ear canal, and ear muffs, which fit over the entire outside of the ear, decrease the intensity of the sound that reaches the eardrum. Properly fitted ear plugs and ear muffs can reduce noise by 15 to 30 decibels. Often lowering the decibel levels into safe ranges.

Did you know?

Gradual hearing loss may occur after prolonged exposure to just 90 decibels or above.

Exposure to 100 decibels for more than 15 minutes can cause hearing loss.

Exposure to 110 decibels for more than a minute can cause permanent hearing loss.

Be aware of hazardous noises in your environment.

Know which noises are too loud and can cause damage.

Undergo an annual medical examination to measure hearing.

In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires hearing conservation programs in noisy work environments.

Workers exposed to 85 decibels or more each day are required to have an annual hearing test.
If more than 10 decibels of hearing loss are indicated by the annual hearing test, the employee must be informed and is required to wear some type of hearing protectors.

Which noises can affect hearing?

Danger Levels: Permanent hearing loss may occur from:

These Decibel Levels
140 Firecrackers or rock concerts
120 Snowmobiles
110 Chain saws
100 Wood shops

Warning Levels: Gradual hearing loss may occur over time

These Decibel Levels
90 Lawnmowers
90 motorcycles
90 Pressure washing equipment

Safe Levels:

These are safe Decibel Levels

80 Traffic noise
60 Normal conversations
40 Refrigerator humming
20 Whispering

Source: National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders

Power washing is a wonderful business which can be very lucrative and rewarding in many ways. Just be aware of the health risks so you can enjoy for many years what you work so hard to achieve today. Do some research and just look at the cost of hearing aids...Then look at the cost of ear plugs so the decision really is...no brainer or no hearing...wouldn't you agree?

Now You Know How not to Have a Hearing Aid in your future Now Learn About Pressure Washers and Carbon Monoxide

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