Do I need to wear hearing protection for very brief loud sounds?

The short answer is yes, they can.

Noise-induced hearing loss is not just about how long you're exposed to noise, but also about how loud and what type of noise it is.

Some sounds are so loud that they can damage the delicate structures inside the inner ear almost immediately. These include things like:

• Fireworks close to your ears
• Gunshots
• Explosions
• Extremely loud industrial machinery

While these situations are less common than everyday workplace noise, they highlight why hearing protection is important anytime you're exposed to very loud sounds, even if it's only for a short time.

For most New Zealanders, hearing loss doesn't happen after one loud event. Instead, it develops slowly through repeated exposure to loud sounds over many months or years.

Common everyday examples include:

• Lawnmowers and leaf blowers
• Power tools
• Farming machinery and tractors
• Construction sites
• Motorbikes
• Hunting and shooting sports
• Live concerts and sporting events
• Music played through headphones or earbuds at high volume

A good rule of thumb is that if you need to raise your voice to speak to someone standing a meter away, the noise is likely too loud and may damage your hearing, even if your ears seem "fine" afterwards.

Sometimes the signs of hearing loss appear straight away. You might notice:

• Ringing or buzzing in your ears (tinnitus)
• Sounds feeling muffled after you've left a noisy place
• Difficulty hearing in busy environments with background noise
• Feeling tired after socialising
• Wondering why your family have started mumbling
• Asking people to repeat themselves more often
• Turning the television up louder than normal
• Struggling to keep up with conversations

Even if these symptoms improve, repeated exposure to loud noise over time can still contribute to permanent hearing loss.

The good news is that in many cases, noise-induced hearing loss is entirely preventable. Here's what you can do:

• Wear earplugs or earmuffs when using power tools, mowing the lawn, or attending concerts and sporting events.
• Always wear appropriate hearing protection when shooting firearms or working around very loud machinery.
• Keep the volume from headphones and earbuds at a comfortable level (around 60% max volume or under 60 dB) and give your ears regular listening breaks.
• If you work in farming, construction, forestry, manufacturing, transport, or engineering, make sure you're using the hearing protection provided by your employer and wear it consistently.

Many people wait years before seeing an audiologist, but early intervention can make communication easier, reduce listening fatigue, and help prevent hearing loss from impacting your relationships and wellbeing.

Protecting your hearing doesn't mean avoiding the activities you enjoy. It's about reducing unnecessary exposure to loud noise so you can continue hearing well for years to come.

If you've noticed changes in your hearing, or you're regularly exposed to loud noise at work or through your hobbies, it's worth booking a hearing assessment.

At Resonate Health, our Ear360 assessment looks at more than just your hearing levels. We take the time to understand your lifestyle, listening challenges, and hearing health so we can provide personalised advice and support.