Decibels safe for ears this Carnival

Otorrino gives 5 tips for enjoying Carnival without damaging your hearing.

Otolaryngologist Bruno Borges de Carvalho Barros, from the capital Sao Paulo, reveals some important tips and precautions to enjoy the carnival festivities without damaging your hearing in the short and long term.

Dr. Bruno says the maximum safe volume for listening to music is 80 decibels, maximum. “Exposure to sound levels above 85 decibels (e.g. that of a lawnmower) can

cause possible ear damage for more than two consecutive hours. Exposure to sounds of 105 to 110 decibels can cause damage in as little as five minutes,” he warns.

He points out that damage occurs in both adults and children, and one sign to recognize the problem is when the volume is no longer comfortable – this is a sign that it has exceeded the safe limit for hearing.

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“Loud music, in addition to increasing the risk of hearing loss, can also lead to chronic tinnitus, which causes the sensation of auditory noise to persist long after the music has stopped,” he warns.

Concert halls usually exceed this noise level, so Dr. Bruno leaves some advice if the volume is excessive:

1. There are decibel reading apps for smartphones that are easy to download, and many are free. The sound volume in outdoor environments is generally between 90 and 100 decibels. In closed environments it can often exceed 110 decibels, it is worth keeping an eye on the meter;
2. Don’t get too close to the speakers, especially if they are in enclosed spaces;
3. Keeping hydrated with water these days helps increase blood circulation and thus the ears become healthier;
4. Foods rich in antioxidants help limit noise-related hearing damage;
5. If exposure is unavoidable, at least try to alternate a period in a noisy environment with a period in a quieter environment.

Source: Bruno Borges de Carvalho Barros | Doctor specialized in ENT at the Brazilian Association of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. Master and researcher at the Federal University of São Paulo.

Source: Terra

Rose

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