The average summer day is likely filled with fun activities and happenings, from motorcycle rides to family reunions to fireworks to sporting events. And while the majority of these activities are healthy, many can present invisible risks to your hearing health. That’s because loud noises, over time, can harm your ability to hear. A loud motorcycle engine or the roar of a crowd could be contributing to long-term, noise-induced hearing loss.
Over time, very loud noises can trigger damage to your ears. As a result, you experience hearing loss. Noise-related hearing loss is effectively permanent.
There is no cure, but this type of hearing loss can be effectively controlled. Over the long run, you can protect your hearing and prevent damage by being aware of common sources of loud noise and formulating prevention strategies. You can safeguard the health of your hearing while still enjoying summer fun by using a few basic adjustments.
Is it really that loud during the summer?
Summer may be one of those times of year where noise hazards are easiest to miss. Here are some of the most prevalent and also most dangerous:
- Routine use of power tools: Home improvement projects are great activities during the summer. But power tools, in general, tend to be really loud. The more you utilize these tools, the more your hearing hazard increases.
- Driving: If you’re driving with the windows down, the wind noise can reach harmful volumes in your ears and this is even more pertinent if you drive a convertible. And the risk becomes exponentially worse the longer you’re exposed.
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they’re outdoor concerts. These events are, after all, intended to be really loud.
- Fireworks events: Many areas have fireworks displays every month or more during the summer. They take place at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. Regrettably, fireworks are incredibly loud and can definitely cause damage to your ears.
- Sporting events: Any time you’re in noisy crowds, you may increase your risk of noise damage (this can be even more relevant at sporting events that feature motorized attractions, such as a Nascar race or monster truck rally).
- Routine lawn care: Included in this category are chainsaws, weed wackers, leaf blowers, and lawnmowers. The powerful motors in many of these mechanical tools are incredibly loud. Motors that run on electricity rather than gas are typically much quieter, though.
The volume level that’s considered to be where damage begins to happen is around 85 dB. A typical hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is about this volume. These sounds may not seem especially loud so this is significant to note. But the volume of these devices can result in hearing damage over time.
Preventing noise-induced hearing damage
Noise-induced hearing loss impacts millions of individuals each year. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-related hearing loss can present at any age. Prevention is significant for this exact reason. Here are some of the most helpful prevention strategies:
- Turn down the volume at home: Simply lowering the volume on your TV and music playing devices can help give your ears some rest and a chance to recuperate. When everything is loud all the time, damage can advance much faster.
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: You may be surprised at just how fast sounds can increase above that 85dB danger zone level. At these volume levels, even your headphones or earbuds can rapidly begin harming your hearing. You can become more conscious of when volume levels start to get too high by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- Wear hearing protection: Keep a set of ear plugs or ear muffs on hand in case you can’t or are not willing to avoid specific noisy situations. When you are in locations that are too loud, use this protection to your advantage. This can help you avoid damage. You can be especially benefited by utilizing hearing protection costume made for you.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Disposable earplugs aren’t as effective as more customized types, but they’re a lot better than nothing! If you find yourself abruptly in a loud environment, a cheap set of disposable earplugs can help prevent substantial hearing damage.
- Get your hearing checked: In some cases, hearing loss creeps up on you really slowly. Many individuals won’t notice the symptoms for months or years. Getting your hearing checked can help you determine whether you have noise-induced hearing loss. We’ll be able to talk about how to prevent additional damage, which treatment solutions may be appropriate, and how to keep your hearing as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): If you went to a loud fireworks show, make sure your next day is a quiet one. Additional and more significant damage can be avoided by giving your ears an opportunity to rest and recover.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really loud, you need to limit your exposure time. Your ears can be protected from long-term damage in this way. If you’re at a loud sporting event, for example, walk to a quieter spot every thirty minutes or so.
You don’t need to resign yourself to having noise-related hearing loss. You’re hearing can be preserved by making use of prevention strategies. You can safeguard your hearing and enjoy fun activities in any season with the proper strategy.
Consulting with us can help begin your journey towards healthier ears and better hearing. Call today for an appointment!