Music legend Phil Collins, renowned former lead singer of Genesis and accomplished musical choreographer, is stepping off the stage of his career. The 60-year-old performer has announced that health problems, including hearing loss, have made it impossible for him to continue as a musician.
Phil Collins on the cover of Rolling Stone
Did chronic noise exposure make the music die?
Your ears can only handle so much stimulation; hearing loss and tinnitus, a condition where sufferers hear a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears, are common ailments of musicians, as exposure to unhealthy levels of decibels is one of their occupational hazards. Jam sessions, never-ending concert line-ups and frequent iPod ear bud usage all account for irreversible damage to the cochlea in the inner ear.
Celebrities raise tinnitus awareness
How much is too much?
The National Institutes of Health define noise induced hearing loss as damage done to the ears as a result of constant exposure to loud noises greater than 75 decibels. Comparatively, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets a safety standard of no more than 110 decibels. Musicians, stunt men and individuals who have served in the army or the air force are constantly exposed to decibels much greater than the amount advised by health experts; as a result they are most likely to suffer from irreversible hearing loss and tinnitus.
How can we protect our hearing and avoid the symptoms of tinnitus?
- If you work in an setting which requires constant exposure to loud noises, be vigilant about wearing protective earplugs.
- Avoid wearing iPod ear buds; opt instead for volume-controlled safe headphones which can be purchased on the internet.
- Listen to music on a moderate setting.
- Turn off the television or radio when not engaged; don’t be tempted to keep them on as “background noise.”
Sources:
Nearly 36 million Americans suffer from tinnitus, a constant buzzing, roaring or chirping sound in the inner or outer ear. While some head noise is normal, individuals with severe tinnitus are plagued with incessant babble throughout their day. Routine activities such as checking one’s email and driving to the market become unbearably difficult and full of distractions. Many patients of this incurable disease fall into bouts of anxiety and depression.
What causes tinnitus?
Tinnitus is often caused by exposure to loud noises; musicians and army soldiers make up for a large percentage of its patients. Health experts predict an increase in tinnitus and other hearing-related diseases as a result of the popularity of noise-cancelling iPod earbuds which produce unhealthy levels of noise waves and may cause permanent ear damage.
Musicians warn teens to lower the volume
Most people are unaware of this affliction; many probably have it and didn’t realize they were not alone. Celebrities such as Wil.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas and William Shatner are trying to change all that.
Wil.i.am told the Sun that music is his only escape from the constant ringing of tinnitus; much of his success can be attributed to his inability to slow down.
Music is his only escape
“I don’t know what silence sounds like any more. Music is the only thing which eases my pain,” says the singer for the Black Eyed Peas.
Jack Black, famous for his rowdy rocker persona, also warns teens to protect their hearing in this YouTube video:
Heavy metal drummer Lars Ulrich of Metallica, who also suffers from tinnitus, delivers his speech on hearing loss in this video funded by H.E.A.R:
The Tinnitus Foundation released this montage of famous people with tinnitus, including Pete Townshend, David Letterman, Barbra Streisand and Ronald Reagan.
William Shatner and co-star Leonard Nimoy were often exposed to loud eruptions on the sets of the Star Trek films. In his video for the American Tinnitus Association, William Shatner describes an explosion during filming which forever altered his hearing ability.
Very often, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes tinnitus among soldiers in the armed forces. Unfortunately, powerful roadside bombs, commonly known as IED’s (improvised explosive devices), have been known to cause traumatic brain injuries, which are often accompanied by hearing loss and tinnitus.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when an object suddenly hits the head, and this in turn causes a trauma to the brain, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
The level of damage created by the TBI can be mild, moderate or severe. Symptoms of a TBI can include headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, temporary or prolonged loss of consciousness, ringing of the ears (tinnitus), impaired memory and concentration, and loss of balance. Someone with a severe TBI may have seizures, convulsions or even death.
Fortunately, victims of many TBIs can benefit from treatment. This may involve surgery to repair broken bones, surgery to remove hematomas (blood clots), occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and possibly treatment by a psychiatrist.
Even with all the treatment options, however, scientist still have much to learn about the mechanism of traumatic brain injuries, and are trying to determine how to help those affected to recover over a shorter duration of time.
Many soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are victims of traumatic brain injuries. These include members of the armed forces suffering from tinnitus triggered by their head injuries.
Since our enemies are utilizing roadside bombs (a.k.a. IEDs) at increasing rates, more must be done to protect our soldiers from traumatic brain injuries and, in many cases, subsequent tinnitus.
Ear tinnitus has affected 619,826 veterans of the armed forces, according to the National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research. This annoying phantom noise in the head can take on the form of a buzz, whoosh, high-pitched whistle, hissing, chirping or other sounds.
The primary cause of ear tinnitus is exposure to loud noises. Members of the armed forces must deal with noise levels well above those recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). NIOSH had stated that noise levels higher than 85 decibels can cause hearing loss and tinnitus.
The source for ear tinnitus among veterans stems from the key tactic employed by the enemies, the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The resulting explosive blasts are as loud as 170 decibels, much higher than the 85 decibel threshold recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The implication is that veterans of the armed forces, who may be only in their 20s, are susceptible to a lifetime sentence of ear tinnitus.
The American Tinnitus Association (ATA) reports that 49 percent of all soldiers exposed to explosive blasts in Iraq and Afghanistan developed tinnitus. Furthermore, it speculates the Veterans Association will be paying out nearly one billion dollars in disability compensation by 2010.
More research is recommended to remedy this problem.
In an article put out by the Deafness Research Foundation, (Winter, 2010), U.S. Army Specialist Opal Hood makes an interesting point. When going out to battle, no one would neglect to wear a helmet or body armor. Yet, little importance is given to hearing protection. As a result, most of the patients seen at Bagram Air Field, an ENT clinic, are for hearing-related problems.
Opal Hood quotes Air Force Col. Joseph A. Brennan, who has never met even one patient at his clinic who used hearing protection. He says that the troops feel that wearing any type of earplugs could prevent them from performing properly.
As mentioned in previous blogs, there are so many types of earpieces that don’t interfere with communication. From this article it would seem that the Air Force is not doing enough for its members.
While in Iraq, Brennan noted that the biggest problem is hearing loss and tinnitus caused by improvised explosive devices (IEDs). IEDs have noise levels that approach 170 decibels, well above the 85 decibel limit recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
There are two types of hearing loss: conductive and sensorineural. Conductive hearing loss is physical damage to the ear, such as broken ear bones. Surgery is the best option for this type of damage.
With regard to sensorineural hearing loss, the nerve in the inner ear is damaged. Unfortunately, the only solution is a hearing aid.
Tinnitus is yet another result of nerve damage to the ear. This is a phantom noise that a person hears even when no auditory stimulus is present.
There are two types of tinnitus: objective and subjective. The advantage of objective tinnitus is that it can be measured by an ENT. With subjective tinnitus, however, the severity is based solely on the claim made by the patient.
Additionally, “blown-out” eardrums are another effect of the high noise levels from IEDs. However, these holes can heal by themselves or can be corrected by surgery.
Perforated ear drum:
Brennan told a story of a soldier who could not hear as a result of ruptured eardrums, and nearly died because he could not hear his fellow soldiers telling him how to avoid the shower of bullets.
Furthermore, Brennan points out that even a hearing loss in one ear can impair a soldier’s ability to tell which direction a gun is being fired, and subsequently endanger his life.
Once again, this is totally unnecessary with the presence of so many high-tech earpieces on the market that are specifically made for such situations. It’s a travesty. Ironically, after a hearing-impaired service member leaves the military, the Veteran’s Administration provides him with hearing aids.
For those retired service members who suffer from tinnitus, they will benefit from Tinnitus DX, a homeopathic remedy for tinnitus.
