The reason there are differences in what is perceived as noise is that some people are more sensitive to noise than others. But we can all agree that noise is unwanted sound; and in terms of our hearing, a loud noise is a sound that may cause hearing impairment.

For people with a hearing loss, background noise presents a particular problem because their ability to understand speech in noisy surroundings is usually very limited. Added to this is a problem that some hearing aids not only amplify speech, but also background noise, making hearing clearly in noisy situations very difficult.

How does noise damage our hearing?
The ear is a complex organ and its delicate parts can be damaged by the impact of loud sound. The inner ear is furnished with sensory cells which convert sound into nerve impulses that can be understood by the brain. If they are exposed to very loud sounds, these sensory cells can be damaged or destroyed. As these cells cannot heal or regenerate, permanent hearing loss may well result. Therefore, it is important to take care of our hearing by being cautious about our exposure to noise.