You feel it in your fingers. You feel it in your toes. Sound is all around you, and so your hearing goes! OKAY--that was really bad. But the truth is that you are surrounded by sound, and too much noise can gradually cause your hearing to go. Unfortunately, more people are losing their hearing now than ever before. As you learned on a previous page, NOW THAT'S INTENSE!, decibel levels of seventy or above can cause a hearing loss after prolonged exposure to the sound. Decibel levels of more than 115 can cause immediate damage.

Today there are more possibilities of being exposed to damaging noise levels than ever before. There is more traffic, especially along the Wasatch Front. Rock concerts are becoming louder. And Jazz fans at the Delta Center have sent the decibel level through the ceiling! (Well, at least above 100 decibels during the postseason.) Although technology has recently progressed a great deal to help those with hearing impairments, there is still no technology or medicine that can restore normal hearing.

Can you imagine how your life would change if you were to lose your hearing? Simple things like enjoying music or talking on the phone would no longer be possible. You probably know how important it is to use sunscreen now to protect you from the future effects of too much ultraviolet radiation exposure. It is also important to take precautions now to prevent a loss of hearing in the future.

THINK ABOUT IT!

Fortunately, those people who lose their hearing later in life at least benefit from their previous experience with sound. Many people are born deaf, and they do not have this advantage. Imagine being a small child, wanting something as simple as a glass of water in the night, but not being able to ask for it. Because maintaining healthy hearing is so important, you should try to avoid situations that will damage your hearing. Turn down the volume of your stereo and Walkman. Avoid loud concerts. And if you go to a Jazz playoff game (lucky you), take along some earplugs and use them!