你常去聽演唱會嗎？你喜歡戴耳機聽歌嗎？優美的旋律能放松心情，但如果音量太高，就可能會損壞聽力。本期 “隨身英語” 節目討論高分貝噪音對身體造成的危害。

詞匯: sound 聲音

Many of us love live music – listening to the singer belting out classics we love to sing along to. But while it can be lots of fun nodding our heads to the tunes booming out, it can also harm our hearing. Studies suggest that one in ten adults have had their hearing damaged by loud noises or music. So why is loud music damaging, and what can we do to prevent it from harming our ears?

Inside our ears, there are lots of tiny hair-like cells located in the cochlea. These cells are referred to as hair cells because very small bundles of stereocilia, which look like hairs under a microscope, sit on top of each cell. These groupings of stereocilia can be damaged when exposed to prolonged loud noises. Once damaged, these cells cannot respond to sound, and therefore we are left with noise-induced hearing loss – which can be permanent. It can also leave us with a constant ringing sound in our ears, which is known as tinnitus. So, what sounds are too loud?

Sound is measured in decibels. The maximum safe level of sound humans are thought to be able to withstand without potential damage is 80db. The bangs or booms of a firework display can reach 120db, the whirring mechanical sound of a food processor can be around 85db, and live music can be around 110db. If these sounds continue for a long period of time, it puts our unprotected ears at risk.

So what can we do to protect our ears? Firstly, when listening to music, especially while using your headphones or earphones, make sure you keep it at a sensible volume. Also, don’t get too close to speakers that are blaring out music. And, if you go to live concerts, why not take some earbuds with you? Finally, if you get a ringing sensation in your ears, it might be wise to speak to your doctor as soon as possible. Your hearing is important, but there are some steps you can take to be as safe as possible.

詞匯表

listen 傾聽，聽
belt out 高歌
nod one’s head 點頭
tune 曲子，旋律
boom out 發出低響，大聲播放
noise 噪音
hair cell 毛細胞
noise-induced 因噪聲引起的
hearing loss 聽力損失
ringing 嗡嗡聲
tinnitus 耳鳴
decibel 分貝
bang 巨響
boom 低沉的響聲
whirr （機器）嗡嗡作響
mechanical 機械的
headphones （頭戴式）耳機
earphones 耳機
volume 音量
blare out 高聲播放
earbuds 耳塞

測驗與練習

1.  閱讀課文并回答問題。

1. True or false? Two in every ten adults have their hearing damaged by loud noises or music.

2. Where are the stereocilia located?

3. What is the safe level of noise humans can tolerate?

4. How loud is a firework display?

5. What should you do if you have a ringing sensation in your ears?

2.  選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. Turn that music down! I’m sick of hearing the same song _______.

booming out              cochlea                  earbuds                   listening

2. How many _______ is the sound of a drill?

stereocilia                 mechanical             whirring                   decibels

3. I’m going to put my _______ in to protect my ears at the concert.

headphones              whirring                  earbuds                   booming out   

4. Please _______ to this message and tell me if you can hear what he’s saying.

whirring                    listen                       mechanical              ringing

5. I have to go to the doctors about the _______ sound in my ears.

ringing                      decibels                  headphones             cochlea

答案

1.  閱讀課文并回答問題。

1. True or false? Two in every ten adults have their hearing damaged by loud noises or music.
False. One in ten adults have their hearing damaged by loud noises or music.

2. Where are the stereocilia located?
They are located in the cochlea.

3. What is the safe level of noise humans can tolerate?
The safe level of noise for humans is under 80db.

4. How loud is a firework display?
A firework display can reach 120db.

5. What should you do if you have a ringing sensation in your ears?
You should speak with a doctor as soon as possible.

2.  選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. Turn that music down! I’m sick of hearing the same song booming out.

2. How many decibels is the sound of a drill?

3. I’m going to put my earbuds in to protect my ears at the concert.

4. Please listen to this message and tell me if you can hear what he’s saying.

5. I have to go to the doctors about the ringing sound in my ears.