The AudioNotch Tinnitus Treatment Blog

Please note: the following information does not constitute professional medical advice, and is provided for general informational purposes only. Please speak to your doctor if you have tinnitus.

An Overview of Acoustic Trauma

Acoustic trauma is a condition that occurs as the result of being exposed to loud noise. It can occur regardless of whether one is exposed to a very loud noise one time or exposed to lower noises over a long period of time. The inner and middle ear are protected by the eardrum. The eardrum also transmits vibrations to the brain.Acoustic trauma changes the way that the eardrum handles the vibrations. This can cause hearing loss.

Risk Factors for Developing Acoustic Trauma

Anyone who is frequently exposed to loud noise can develop acoustic trauma. This includes people who work in gun ranges, people who attend concerts and people who work in or near areas. Additionally, people who do not wear the proper protective ear equipment are more likely to develop acoustic trauma.

Acoustic trauma is most likely to develop after one is exposed to noise that is above 85 decibels. A passing diesel truck is an example of something that has a noise level of 85 decibels.

Acoustic Trauma Symptoms

Hearing loss is one of the most common acoustic trauma symptoms. Many people will have problems hearing sounds with a higher frequency. As the hearing loss worsens, they may have problems hearing at lower frequencies. Tinnitus is another one of the acoustic trauma symptoms.

Tinnitus causes a person to hear a constant ringing or buzzing sound. People who have mild to moderate tinnitus may not even notice that they have the condition. It is important to note that tinnitus can be caused by a variety of things such as changes to the blood vessels and drug use. However, it is often a sign of acoustic trauma.

How to Diagnose Acoustic Trauma

Your doctor will ask you a variety of questions about your hearing in order to diagnose this condition. Your doctor can also use audiometry to diagnose acoustic trauma. This is a test where a person is exposed to sounds with varying tones and loudness in order to determine how well one hears.

How to Treat Diagnose Acoustic Trauma

Medications can be used to treat acoustic trauma. Oral steroid medications are often recommended. Ear protection will need to be used in order to prevent acoustic trauma from getting worse. If a person has severe hearing loss, then they may need to wear hearing aids. Cochlear implants, which are electronic hearing devices, may also be recommended.