In highly urbanized areas, noise pollution is a serious problem. Hearing protection is required to prevent permanent ear damage caused by the various noises produced in big cities. I've noticed that rather than taking steps to save themselves from going deaf, a lot of people simply ignore this problem. I'm not sure if it's a case of not knowing or a case of not caring.

Hearing Protection

One way of preventing hearing loss is by wearing some form of hearing protection. If you're just trying to block the loud noises and don't need to hear anything in particular, general-use ear plugs and headsets can be used. The earplugs include those made from memory foam and those made from silicone rubber. The headsets can be plain or look like earmuffs designed for cold weather.

Specialized earplugs can be used by musicians and sportsmen to prevent the harmful frequencies of noise from getting through while allowing enough sound to get through for voice communication. These earplugs are inexpensive and highly recommended for preventing hearing loss.

Noise Cancellation

One of the most effective ways of blocking unwanted noise is through noise cancelling headsets. They're what I wear when I'm sitting at the computer and trying to concentrate on the task at hand. I would prefer to use comfortable earphones, but they just don't do the trick. With a noise cancelling headset, I can listen to soft rock (the kind that doesn't distract) without hearing all of the noise generated in my neck of the woods. Sometimes I think I'm sitting on the sidewalk in downtown Olongapo because of the array of noises coming through my windows.

Noise cancelling headsets aren't as effective as earplugs or headsets designed for hearing protection, but they still work. In my opinion, they're more effective for preventing headaches caused by prolonged noise pollution.

Tinnitus Noise

Tinnitus is a condition known as "ringing" in the ears, which can be heard even where there isn't any noise to hear. The ringing can be described as buzzing, wave sound and other kinds of noise. Before I started using hearing protection (required when firing on the range in the military), I suffered from tinnitus whenever I was in a place where it was almost silent or completely devoid of sound. It started as a low buzz and became increasingly louder until some form of noise was introduced. I would do poorly on hearing tests because the buzzing was louder than the high frequency sounds I was supposed to hear.

Devices that produce white noise are effective in preventing tinnitus, but I've never explored that option. Once I started wearing hearing protection as necessary, and using noise cancelling headsets, I was no longer a tinitus sufferer. My last two hearing tests (I think they were called audiograms, but I could be mistaken) before retiring from the military were considered the best of the best. Right now, I can hear a pin drop and no buzzing whatsoever.

Local Deafness

Many of my relatives in the Philippines, as well as a lot of other people, are bingi (hard of hearing) due to being exposed to continuous noise pollution without wearing any kind of hearing protection. My wife is included in that mix. Do you know how frustrating it is to have to repeat yourself in a language which isn't your first language? I can't be sure whether the other person didn't hear what I said or that I said it wrong.

The people that live away from the city (further away than I do) don't suffer from hearing loss caused by noise pollution. I can tell the difference when I'm talking to someone who comes to the city on rare occasions. I just wish my relatives would listen to me when I tell them to avoid the noise. I wonder if they'd wear earplugs even if I went out of my way to get them some. Some people are just too pasaway (hard-headed) to do what's necessary no matter what I tell them.

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