ENT Specialist Reveals the Dangers of Loud Sound, Eardrum Can Tear

Kapanlagi.com - Recently, we've been hearing more and more loud noises from loudspeakers on the streets or at events. But did you know that such sounds can permanently damage your ears? In an exclusive interview with KapanLagi.com, ENT specialist Dr. Meyrna Heryaning Putri explains in detail and simply about the dangers of loud noise exposure on our hearing.

"Sound is in the form of waves. The first time sound enters through the outer ear, it is collected, then it goes into the ear canal and reaches the eardrum," explains Dr. Meyrna. "There, the sound is amplified, focused, and transmitted through the bones of hearing to the middle ear, then to the inner ear."

The inner ear consists of very small and delicate structures like the cochlea and balance organs. Inside the cochlea, sound waves are converted into electrical impulses and transmitted to the brain via the eighth nerve.

"It's complex. So sound enters the cochlea, from waves it changes to mechanical, then to electrical impulses that are carried to the brainstem, go up, and are finally interpreted by our brain in the auditory area," says Dr. Meyrna.

1. Why Can the Sound of Horeg Be Dangerous?

So, what happens if the sound that comes in is very loud, like the sound from a horeg? According to Dr. Meyrna, the vibrations from loud sounds can cause structural damage to the ear.

"If the waves are extremely large, for example, the sound of an explosion or a firecracker 'bang!', imagine the energy entering our ears. That thin eardrum can tear immediately, the tiny bones behind it can be shattered, and the small cochlea can also be completely damaged," she explained.

It's not just the mechanical parts that are affected, but also the nerves inside the ear. If this happens, the damage can become permanent. "If the components in the ear are damaged, including the nerves, then the ear can no longer transmit sound properly. And fixing it becomes very difficult," Dr. Meyrna emphasized.

2. Safe Limits of Sound That Can Be Heard by the Ear

Dr. Meyrna Heryaning Putri (credit: KapanLagi.com)

Based on the Minister of Manpower Regulation No. 5 of 2018, the safe sound limit for human hearing is 85 decibels (db) for a maximum of 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. "85 db is already at a level that needs to be limited. If 85 db is allowed for 8 hours, once it rises to 88 db, the time must be halved to 4 hours. At 91 db, it's down to 2 hours. 100 db is only allowed for 15 minutes. If it reaches 110 db, it can only be heard for less than 2 minutes," explained Dr. Meyrna.

And what about the sound of a horn? "My device records that sounds like that can reach 130-135 db. In fact, 120 db alone can already cause immediate danger. If it reaches 135 db, it is called acoustic trauma. The damage is immediate and permanent," she warned.

Dr. Meyrna also gave examples of everyday sounds that are often underestimated. When she speaks without a microphone, the decibel meter she uses shows a figure of 70-79 db. "I speak normally like this, without a mic, it's already in the 70s db. If I lower my voice, it drops to 50-60 db. Even if I speak loudly, that can also be potentially harmful, especially for sounds that reach such high levels," she elaborated.

3. Research Before You Go Deaf, Let's Be More Concerned About Our Ears

Through this interview, Dr. Meyrna hopes that the public will be more concerned about ear health and not take exposure to loud sounds lightly. "In the past, people might have thought, 'ah, it's okay, loud sounds are normal', but hopefully with this presentation, we become more aware. Because this is not just a problem in Indonesia, but it has become a global concern," she said.

What do you think, KLovers? Hopefully, we stay healthy!

(kpl/pit)