Dr. Vladimir Belikov, an otolaryngologist and plastic surgeon, has issued a warning that exposure to intense noise, such as an explosion or gunshot, can induce acute acoustic trauma, resulting in immediate and profound hearing loss.
According to Dr. Belikov, noise is a significant determinant of hearing damage, with its impact being defined by both frequency and loudness. He highlighted that high-frequency sounds pose a greater threat to auditory health compared to low-frequency ones. Consistent exposure to high-frequency noise not only risks hearing impairment but can also precipitate migraines, vertigo, chronic fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Furthermore, a singular, intensely loud event—like an explosion or a firearm discharge—is capable of causing acute acoustic trauma, leading to instantaneous deafness.
Dr. Belikov also underscored the peril of prolonged noise exposure, citing examples such as working in noisy industrial environments or routinely listening to high-volume music or television through headphones, particularly in noisy settings like the subway. He elucidated that such sustained exposure leads to irreversible damage of nerve cells, which in turn causes permanent hearing reduction.
The specialist emphasized that hearing loss resulting from noise exposure is not amenable to recovery through either conservative medical treatments or surgical interventions.
Belikov further elaborated that individuals suffering from noise-induced hearing impairment frequently find themselves needing to raise their voice or repeatedly ask others to clarify what they said in professional settings. Other common symptoms he noted include tinnitus (a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears), temporary decline in hearing ability after a workday, and a sensation of fullness or pressure within the ear.
