The impact of loud music dulls hearing for a few seconds, repeated or prolonged exposure to blaring music can reduce hearing power permanently. Surveys reveal less sensitivity to high-frequency sounds in practicing rock musicians, disco-veterans, rock concert fans and those who regularly listened to their Walk-mans at full volume. Any sound is safe for the ears upto a limit of 85 decibels. Typically, loud music clocks in at 100-120 decibels. In the average Walkman-type player, a volume setting 4 or 5 ranges between 93 and 108 decibels. Turn it up to setting 8, and the sound level hits 115 decibels or more. Whether it is a discotheque or an aerobics class, if the music drowns normal conversation, it is not safe for your ears. Researchers recommend a top limit of 100 decibels.
Digital hearing aids
Prisma digital hearing aids which are available as mini-BTE (behind the ear), ITE (in the ear), ITC (in the canal) and CIC (completely in the canal). Prisma offers a combination of digital signal processing (DSP) and twin mic system (TMS). The DSP allows digitisation of the incoming signal for quick analysis of the acoustic signal, which filters out noise and adds clarity to speech signals, while the TMS, advanced multi-directional microphones, allows the user to understand conversations even in noisy environments.

Question: It is of very great import to me doctor that you reply, because I’ve been suffering from noises in my ears for twelve years. I’m also going deaf. I’ve been to specialists and they say there is nothing to be done. Please can you help me?
I believe that you are suffering from Meniere’s disease. Meniere was a physician in Paris in the early part of the nineteenth century who described a syndrome that consisted of dizziness, deafness and a constant noise in the ears. The exact cause is not known, but there is usually a build-up in the pressure of the fluid inside the hearing and balance mechanisms of the inner ear.
The most distressing symptom is the constant noise (tinnitus is the technical term) in the ear. This is usually a high-pitched ringing, but may be a dull roar in some people. Unfortunately, treatment is not very satisfactory, and new drugs and devices are constantly being tried to give relief. Among the drugs, Sere, Adalat and Minipress (all are available on prescription only), act to increase the blood supply to the inner ear, and have been successful in some people. Other drugs tried with varying success are various anti-histamines, diuretics, rochlorperazine, amitripryline and chlorpromazine (most are on prescription).
None of these have more than a 50-50 chance of success, but may be tried to see if they give relief. If medication*is successful in controlling the nausea and dizziness, but not the noises, a tinnitus masker may be beneficial. This is a hearing-aid type of device that is worn in the ear and emits a constant tone that counteracts the noise already heard in the ear. It may take some experimentation to find the right one for each patient, but with persistence, many can be helped. There are also micro surgical techniques to help the sufferers of Meniere’s disease.
Those who do suffer should not despair, but keep trying the various methods of treatment that are available, in the hope that one will suit them.