Does hearing continue to deteriorate after exposure to noise stops?

It’s a good question. Anyone out there run into studies on this?

@aba

I have spent some time reading online Journals of Audiology, Otolaryngology, Hearing etc and there have been decades of studies related to Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). Many of the studies I read were pertinent to a particular group of people according to their occupation, for example Firefighters. NIHL is a complex disease and any resulting loss can be result of many factors, such as the intensity and duration of the noise, genetics and age. This is why the debate as to whether any loss is ongoing, gets worse or is permanent is still ongoing. There are some conclusions that seem to be agreed on...for example, noise trauma seems to affect the left ear rather than the right and some people seem to be more predisposed to noise damage than others. (genetics).

You won't find your answer here . I suggest you might want to do your own research for more in depth answers. This is not an easy subject and you know studies contradict each other. Many of the scientific terms and explanations I came across were out of my depth. What everyone posted here is general, useful knowledge. We hear your frustration and I hope you will share anything you come across.

FL Mary

So true, Mary, like many other health issues, the answer is the dreaded "It depends." You have delved into the science behind it in your research, which is what we each need to do if answers are not easy to find.
Sue

Thank you FL Mary. There have been studies done in many cases. People who hunt and trap shoot lose hearing in the right ear due to the gun being held on that side of the body. There's another study on farmers who use noisy tractors for farming. The side they turn away from the tractor to look behind them is less affected than the other ear.

Noise is the most common cause of sensorineural hearing loss. And, we are all different. On MCC, all of us are speaking from our own experiences as we are not medical professionals.

https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/non_auditory.html
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https://www.who.int/docstore/peh/noise/Comnoise-3.pdf
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https://www.publichealthmdc.com/documents/noise%20report.pdf
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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003347220303523
However, long-term noise pollution may lead to differences in short-term responses...
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How does long term exposure to noise permanently damage hearing?
Loud noise can damage cells and membranes in the cochlea. Listening to loud noise for a long time can overwork hair cells in the ear, which can cause these cells to die. The hearing loss progresses as long as the exposure continues. Harmful effects might continue even after noise exposure has stopped!
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Does hearing deteriorate with age?
There is no known single cause of age-related hearing loss. Most commonly, it is caused by changes in the inner ear that occur as you grow older. Your genes and loud noise (from rock concerts or music headphones) may play a large role
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How quickly does hearing loss progress?
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) develops slowly after many years of exposure. Susceptibility varies quite widely, but 10 years or more of exposure is generally required for significant hearing loss to occur.13 JULY 2020
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How does hearing degrade with age?
Hearing loss occurs when the tiny hair cells are damaged or die. The hair cells DO NOT regrow, so most hearing loss caused by hair cell damage is permanent. There is no known single cause of age-related hearing loss. Most commonly, it is caused by changes in the inner ear that occur as you grow older.31 בדצמ׳ 2020
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health
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NOW - WHO CAN BRING MORE LINKS TO ACADEMIC RESEARCH FROM LAST 5 YEARS ?

The hearing loss progresses as long as the exposure continues. Harmful effects might continue even after noise exposure has stopped. Damage to the inner ear or auditory neural system is generally permanent.
How Does Loud Noise Cause Hearing Loss? | NCEH | CDC

https://taimuihonghue21.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/occupational-hearing-loss.pdf
823-825
"Q. What about in the area of progression or non-progression, anything characteristic in terms of long-term noise-induced hearing loss? A. It generally continues to progress.

Q. What if an individual is removed from the noisy environment, does it continue to progress ?
A. It may, yes."
The American Occupational Medicine Association (AOMA) Committee defined occupational noise-induced hearing loss as a slowly developing hearing loss over a long time period (several years) as the result of exposure to continuous or intermittent loud noise. PAGES 414-415

Thank you for the link. Intense research by people on Connect has taught me much.
Sue

ANY ONE WITH SOMETHING NEW INFO ?