Protege tus oídos en el Año Nuevo Chino y evita la sordera

Author: Healthcare Nurse; Reviewer: Audiology Specialist; Commissioner: Health Department; Production Organization: Local Health Authority. Title: Protect Your Ears During the Chinese New Year to Prevent Hearing Loss. The Spring Festival is celebrated with fireworks, but their noise can damage hearing. Take care of your auditory health.

The sound of firecrackers signifies the end of a year, and the spring breeze brings warmth to the celebratory wine. The tradition of launching fireworks during the Spring Festival has persisted for millennia. As a nurse in the field of otolaryngology, who is in constant contact with the ears, I must remind you: the thunder of firecrackers is not merely a matter of "fun," it can become an "invisible killer" of hearing.

1. How harmful is the sound of firecrackers? The question of how damaging the noise of fireworks is.

Our ears are like precise "sound receivers," fragile and sensitive, and once damaged, it is difficult to regenerate them. The safe noise limit that a normal person can tolerate is 85 decibels, while the noise of daily conversation is about 60 decibels. In comparison, the noise of an explosion from firecrackers can reach 120 to 140 decibels, comparable to the sound of a jet plane taking off. This type of exposure to intense noise for a short period can directly cause congestion and perforation of the eardrum in the middle ear, as well as mechanical damage to the hair cells in the inner ear, which can lead to "blast deafness," a sudden hearing loss. Children, the elderly, and those with ear diseases have a lower tolerance for noise, which exponentially increases the risk of damage.

These signs are a "call for help" from your ears.

If you experience the following symptoms during the Spring Festival:

1. Hearing loss: a sudden sensation that the ear "does not hear well," either in one ear or both.

2. Tinnitus and a feeling of congestion in the ears: a sharp ringing sound, similar to cicadas or a buzzing noise, accompanied by a feeling of pressure and congestion in the ears. This is a typical manifestation of damage to the hair cells in the inner ear.

3. Ear pain and bleeding: if there is a perforation in the eardrum, there can be intense pain in the ear, and there may be slight bleeding in the ear canal.

4. Other discomforts: some people may experience symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

It is very important to be alert, as it may be a sign of blast deafness. The optimal treatment period for blast deafness is within 72 hours after the injury. Lack of oxygen and metabolic disorders in the hair cells of the inner ear can lead to irreversible cell death. If any of the mentioned symptoms occur, it is essential to immediately consult an otolaryngology specialist. Delaying treatment can result in permanent auditory damage.

To protect hearing amid the noise, it is actually not difficult. Just follow these three points:

1. Avoiding sources: If the amount can be reduced, it should be done. Choose low-power, low-noise fireworks produced by legitimate manufacturers. When lighting, maintain a safety distance of at least 3 meters from the launch point. Avoid using indoors, in hallways, or other enclosed spaces.

2. Physical protection: Protect the ears with "protective clothing" by using earplugs or acoustic headphones in advance. Quality earplugs can reduce noise by 20 to 35 decibels, and headphones offer better sealing. If professional equipment is not available, clean soft cotton balls can be lightly inserted into the ear canal, or the ear can be firmly covered with hands while keeping the mouth open, which helps balance the pressure inside and outside the eardrum, reducing the impact of sound waves. It is recommended that the elderly, infants, pregnant women, and individuals with ear diseases avoid situations with explosions as much as possible.

3. Daily ear care: avoid frequently entering and leaving areas with a high concentration of fireworks; for every 30 minutes of stay, rest in a quiet environment for 10 minutes; do not use sharp objects to clean the ears.

Health and peace are the best blessings of the New Year. I hope everyone hears the laughter and joy of the new year with healthy ears. I wish that in this new year: you have good hearing and vision, peace and joy, and that everything goes well.