Symptoms from Exposure to Fire Alarm — Fear of Damaged Ears

[Zander93]

Today without realising I sat down 5 feet from two fire alarms, in my universities library, that were moments away from being tested, the word thing is I TRIED to tolerate it for 10 seconds but it was just too much,

By the time I covered my ears it was too late - they were already feeling full and my hearing was muffled.

This has happened before but this time I'm pretty scared damage was caused; apparently the average fire alarm is 90db at ten feet - I was 3 to 5 feet away and no more.

Can anyone tell me what kind of DB level I was exposed to? I'm really scared my hearing has been damaged as a result

 

[Nick Pyzik]

Today without realising I sat down 5 feet from two fire alarms, in my universities library, that were moments away from being tested, the word thing is I TRIED to tolerate it for 10 seconds but it was just too much,

By the time I covered my ears it was too late - they were already feeling full and my hearing was muffled.

This has happened before but this time I'm pretty scared damage was caused; apparently the average fire alarm is 90db at ten feet - I was 3 to 5 feet away and no more.

Can anyone tell me what kind of DB level I was exposed to? I'm really scared my hearing has been damaged as a result

There's no way you damaged the hair cells in you ears from something like that. More likely you damaged the nerves connected to the hair cells if you have muffled ears and ringing from this incident.

 

[Zander93]

is that permanent too?

 

[ceauses97]

is that permanent too?

No, nerves does heal. But it can take up to many months. Each nerve fibers grows "only" one inch every month, so if its damaged it's going to take some time.

 

[Zander93]

Thanks, the good news is there's no ringing, just the ear fullness and muffled hearing

 

[ceauses97]

Thanks, the good news is there's no ringing, just the ear fullness and muffled hearing

No ringing? Why the heck are you so frustrated then? I would without hesitating give up 50 % of my hearing just so my tinnitus could go away...

 

[Zander93]

Because I was exposed to sound levels that were dangerously high? In a library? I empathise with your situation and I didn't mean to offend you, but you clearly don't understand how it can be frustrating for some who avoids loud sound to be subjected to it against their will.