From Lawn Mowers to Rock Concerts, Our 'Deafening World' Is Hurting Our Ears

Writer David Owen explains in his book Volume Control how the loud noises we live with every day are damaging our ears, reports National Public Radio. He says age-related hearing loss is, as assumed, something that occurs in old age, but adds that "it's something that's caused by things that we do when we're young." According to Owen, even small household appliances like food processors can generate noise that causes damage, and people who live in places without significant background noise usually suffer less hearing loss. He recommends people carry and use earplugs regularly. On average, the delay between when someone first notices a hearing problem and sees the doctor about it is 10 years. "It's going to be increasingly possible to buy over-the-counter, less expensive hearing improvement products — hearing aids and other products," Owen forecasts.