| We all know that bigger is not necessarily better. | | | | mechanisms kicking in. They are protecting their |
| Well, the same holds true for sounds. Louder does | | | | ears from a situation that is potentially damaging. |
| not necessarily mean better sound quality. Good | | | | As we get older, we may have a stubborn |
| quality hearing is vital to keeping the nerves in | | | | tendency to overrule some of our natural |
| your ears healthy and able to transmit sound | | | | instincts. But that does not negate the importance |
| signals through the nerve pathways to your brain | | | | of them. We sometimes need to relearn the |
| so you can better understand and enjoy the | | | | basics of self-preservation. Remembering that |
| world around you. | | | | overly loud noises trigger the impulse to muffle or |
| The ear is a sensitive and incredible transmitter of | | | | block out the sound is a clear signal that you need |
| sound to the brain. Made up of three parts: the | | | | to "cover your ears". |
| outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear, the | | | | Hearing protection is not limited just to the sound |
| ear transforms vibrations in the air into electrical | | | | muffling headsets like the kind you see at a firing |
| impulses that are, in turn, passed or transmitted | | | | range. There are a variety of ways to protect |
| to the brain as signals through the neural | | | | your ears. Available are ear plugs for swimmers, |
| pathways from the ear. Damage to any of the | | | | industrial ear plugs for safety in the workplace, |
| parts of the ear can result in hearing impairment | | | | specialized musician's ear plugs, and ear plugs |
| and/or hearing loss. | | | | made especially for children, just to name a few. |
| When we feel the uncomfortable sensation of | | | | Whatever the situation may be that involves loud |
| cold we take the necessary measures to protect | | | | sounds or other possible events that may cause |
| our outer ears with earmuffs, hats, and scarves | | | | trauma to the inner ear and its nerves, there are |
| in the winter to prevent frostbite. It is just as | | | | protection devices developed specifically for that |
| important to remember to protect our inner ears | | | | instance. |
| as well to prevent nerve damage that can cause | | | | All five of your senses are very important for |
| permanent hearing loss. | | | | you to function properly: taste, touch, sight, smell, |
| Have you ever seen a dog whine, put his head | | | | and hearing. Protecting your ears and your hearing |
| down, and cover his ears with his paws when | | | | ensures that you keep this important sense |
| there is a loud, high-pitched noise? A small child will | | | | healthy and intact. Contact a health professional |
| do virtually the same thing when exposed to a | | | | dealing in hearing to choose the proper hearing |
| loud noise. The child automatically covers his ears | | | | protection needed. |
| with his hands. These are natural self-defense | | | | |