• If you are exposed to loud noise on a regular basis wear ear protectionear image by Connfetti from Fotolia.com
  
  When humans are exposed to loud noises day in and day out they can begin to experience NIHL, or noise-induced hearing loss. Harmful noises can damage the hair cells, which are sensitive structures located inside the ear. These "hair cells" are actually sensory cells that change sound energy into electrical signals that move to the brain. Once these hair cells are damaged they do not grow back.
  
  

Noise Induced Hearing Loss

• When the ear is exposed to continuously loud noises this injures the hair cell structure. The outcome is that an individual then suffers from tinnitus or hearing loss. This is a gradual process and doesn't happen all at once but over time.The reason exposure to loud and continuous noise damages the hair cells is because the noise causes molecules to form inside the ears and it is these molecules that harm the hair cells and result in hearing loss. These molecules are extremely destructive to one's hearing. People who listen to loud music for long periods of time risk having these molecules form in their ears.
  
  

Hair Cells are Sensory Cells

• According to the National Institutes of Health, scientists are attempting to regenerate damaged hair cells or sensory cells in the ears. The reason these sensory cells are called hair cells is because of their appearance, which consists of hair-like bundles that jut out of non-sensory cells.
  
  

Regeneration

• Unfortunately, humans aren't able to re-grow hair cells once they are dead, unlike other vertebrates, although it is hoped that stereocilia, or new hair bundles, can eventually be regenerated from the original hair cells when a key gene is injected into the inner ear.
  
  

Studies

• Studies have been done on guinea pigs, which reveal that the new stereocilia is able to change sound vibrations into electrical signals, which is necessary in order for the brain to interpret sound. However, once hair cells are damaged following noise exposure there is only a small window of opportunity (10 days) during which these hair cells can be saved, which, in turn, saves or restores hearing.
  
  

Prevention

• Avoiding damaging the hair cells in your ears by wearing ear protection.