From sporting events to family get-togethers to fireworks shows to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with enjoyable experiences. The majority of these activities are perfectly safe and healthy, but some do come with a risk of noise-related hearing loss. Over time, the loud noises that come with some of these experiences can lead to irreversible hearing damage. This hearing damage could be due to anything from a roaring motorcycle engine to the booms of a fireworks show.
What is noise-induced hearing loss? This condition occurs when overly loud noises, over time, cause damage to your hearing. As a result, you experience hearing loss. Noise-related hearing loss is effectively irreversible.
Although this type of hearing loss can’t be cured, it can be effectively managed. 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. With a few basic adjustments, you can enjoy your summer fun and protect your hearing health.
Is it actually that loud during the summer?
It can be really easy to miss noise risks during the summer months. Some of the most common dangerously loud noises include the following:
- Driving: If you’re driving with the windows down, the wind noise can reach hazardous volumes in your ears and this is even more relevant if you drive a convertible. This is especially true if the sound occurs for long intervals without breaks.
- Fireworks events: Summer is full of fireworks. They happen at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. But fireworks shows are definitely loud enough to trigger irreversible hearing damage.
- Sporting events: Crowd noise can harm your hearing, especially at events like auto racing or monster truck rallies.
- Routine lawn care: This category includes chainsaws, weed wackers, leaf blowers, and lawnmowers. The powerful motors in many of these mechanical tools are incredibly loud. It’s worth pointing out that totally electric motors are usually quieter.
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they are outside concerts. These events are, after all, intended to be quite loud.
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is an excellent time for home improvement projects. But it’s important to keep in mind that all of those power tools can be really noisy. Your hearing health is in increasing danger the more you utilize these tools.
The volume level that’s considered to be where damage begins to occur is about 85 dB. This is about the volume of a lawnmower, hair dryer, or a typical blender. These sounds might not seem especially loud so this is significant to note. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t result in damage.
Preventing noise-induced hearing damage
Noise-induced hearing loss effects millions of people every year. Noise-induced hearing loss can happen at any age, unlike age-related hearing loss. Prevention is significant for this exact reason. Some of the most effective prevention strategies include the following:
- Wear hearing protection: Keep a pair of ear plugs or ear muffs on hand in case you can’t or are not willing to avoid certain noisy situations. When you’re in settings that are too loud, use this protection to your advantage. Damage can be avoided in this way. You can be especially benefited by using hearing protection costume designed for you.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): Spend a quieter next day after going to a fireworks display. This can give your ears more time to recover and avoid further and more substantial damage.
- Get your hearing checked: In some cases, hearing loss sneaks up on you very gradually. It could take years to notice in many instances. Frequently, the only way to find out whether you have any noise-induced hearing loss is to get your hearing checked. We will help you understand how to keep your hearing healthy for years to come and discuss treatment options for any hearing loss you may already have.
- Turn down the volume at home: Your ears can get a break by simply lowering the volume on your devices. When everything is loud all the time, damage can advance more quickly.
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: 85 dB may not seem like a lot, but you would probably be surprised how fast sounds can escalate above that minimum threshold. At these volume levels, even your headphones or earbuds can quickly begin damaging your ears. You can become more aware of when volume levels begin to get too loud by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Disposable earplugs aren’t as reliable as more customized types, but they’re a lot better than nothing! If you find yourself suddenly in a noisy environment, a cheap pair of disposable earplugs can help prevent substantial hearing damage.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really noisy, you should regulate your exposure time. Your ears can be safeguarded from long-term damage in this way. Every thirty minutes or so, when you’re at a noisy sporting event, for example, go and spend some time in a less noisy spot.
You don’t need to resign yourself to having noise-related hearing loss. You’re hearing can be preserved by utilizing prevention strategies. You can protect your hearing and enjoy fun activities in any season with the correct strategy.
Start your journey towards better hearing by giving us a call for an appointment.