Noise Induced Deafness may be a full or partial reduction in the ability to determine and understand sounds. This condition is usually caused by a wide range of environmental factors. Sound waves have varying frequencies and amplitudes. A person who has lost his ability to detect some frequencies and some low-amplitude sounds which should normally be detected is a characteristic of this condition. Whenever humans are exposed to harmful noise and sounds that are too loud and last a long time, the sensitive structures found in the inner ear may be damaged thereby causing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) or Noise Induced Deafness. These sensitive structures which are also called hair cells, are small sensory cells found in the inner ear. They convert sound energy into electrical signals which travel towards the brain. Once the hair cells are damaged, they cannot grow back.

A person with this condition may not even be aware of the loss, but it can be detected with a hearing test.

A person who is exposed to loud noise for a long time will cause symptoms of Noise Induced Deafness to increase gradually. After some time, the sounds that the person hears can be described as distorted or muffled. Understanding speech may become difficult as well.

Recent studies proves that exposure to harmful noise can trigger molecular formation inside the ear which can damage or kill hair cells. Noise Induced Deafness may be caused by a single exposure to an intense sound on impulse. This could be in the form of an explosion and other harmful sounds. Another cause may be continuous exposure to loud sounds for a prolonged period of time. This can also cause tinnitus.

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