REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE 5th NOVEMBER,
GUNPOWDER, TREASON AND… WHAT?!
GUNPOWDER, TREASON AND… WHAT?!
Every year, the 5th November brings a unique array of sights and sounds as many of us enjoy the thrill of Guy Fawkes night. But while most people are aware of the harm fireworks can do if not handled properly, very few will appreciate the damage the noisiest night of the year can do to their hearing and to the hearing of their children.
Richard Moss, senior partner at the Oxford Hearing Centre, explains;
"It's quite possible for a person watching fireworks to experience noise levels significant enough to cause hearing loss and ringing in their ears – either due to a close explosion or through a cumulative exposure to noise.”
Hearing loss through exposure to noise can be accompanied by a condition, called tinnitus, a permanent ringing in the ears for which there is no specific cure.
"We don't know necessarily who when exposed to increased levels of noise is going to end up with ringing ears and permanent or temporary hearing loss," says Richard, “Part of the problem is that it's sometimes hard to judge just how loud a sound actually is.
"A key element of impact explosions, like fireworks, is that they're very short," he explains. "Research has shown that if a sound is less than about
150 milliseconds that we really don't realise how loud it actually is. So when you hear the bang of a firework, it may be much louder than you think! This factor, coupled with the ready availability of new, more powerful fireworks means that this is a growing concern."
150 milliseconds that we really don't realise how loud it actually is. So when you hear the bang of a firework, it may be much louder than you think! This factor, coupled with the ready availability of new, more powerful fireworks means that this is a growing concern."
Aside from the instant damage experienced by some people, the cumulative amount of "continuous noise" in a Guy Fawkes night party can easily add up to harmful levels.
How to protect yourself and your children
Hearing damage on fireworks night can easily be prevented by using earplugs or specially designed headphones for young ears which the Oxford Hearing Centre are recommending for children this November 5th.
“I’d like to suggest a new warning for the Fireworks Code,” said Richard;
“ALWAYS WEAR HEARING PROTECTION!”.
He sums up his message: “We obviously want everyone, especially children, to enjoy all the fun of Guy Fawkes night, but with the right protection those at risk from loud noise can avoid a lifetime of hearing damage.”
About the Oxford
The Oxford Hearing Centre was formed in 1982 as a hearing aid and audiological centre of excellence. The practice is a founding member of AIHHP – The Association of Independent Hearing Healthcare Professionals. AIHHP is a professional body representing the leading independent hearing aid audiologists in the United Kingdom
As well as helping people to hear, the Oxford Hearing Centre provides individual and organisational guidance on hearing conservation.
The centre has been acknowledged in both 2009 and 2010 for the Audiologist of the Year Awards. The Awards are issued as a result of members of the public nominating those individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help them overcome their hearing difficulty.
Richard Moss also acts as consultant to the music industry, advising many famous professional and amateur musicians on issues of hearing protection and healthcare.
The Oxford Hearing Centre’s diverse client list covers all walks of life, from royalty to rock stars.
For more information contact:
Richard Moss, FSHAA, MRSPH
Tel. 01865 861 861
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