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 a roaring crowd could be causing long-term, noise-related hearing loss.
What is noise-related hearing loss? This condition happens when extremely loud noises, over time, trigger damage to your hearing. As a consequence, you experience hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss is effectively permanent.
Although this kind of hearing loss has no cure, it can be effectively treated. Increasing your awareness of these common loud noises can help you better control risks and formulate prevention strategies, so you can safeguard your hearing over the long run. You can protect the health of your hearing while still enjoying summer fun by using a few simple adjustments.
Is it really that loud during the summer?
Summer may be one of those times of year where noise hazards are easiest to overlook. Some of the most common hazardously loud noises include the following:
- Driving: Taking a Sunday drive is very popular, but the wind rushing through your windows (or all around you if you’re driving a convertible) can be tough on your ears. This is particularly true if the sound happens for long durations without breaks.
- Fireworks events: Many places have fireworks displays monthly or more during the summer. They take place at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. Unfortunately, fireworks are extremely loud and can definitely cause damage to your hearing.
- Routine lawn care: Included in this category are chainsaws, weed wackers, leaf blowers, and lawnmowers. The powerful motors in most of these mechanical tools are very loud. It’s worth pointing out that entirely electric motors are usually quieter.
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is an ideal time for home improvement projects. But it’s significant to remember that all of those power tools can be rather noisy. The more you use these tools, the more your hearing risk increases.
- Sporting events: Crowd noise can damage your hearing, particularly at events like auto racing or monster truck rallies.
- Loud concerts: Even outdoor concerts have considerable hazards to your hearing health. After all, these events are planned to be as loud as possible.
Generally speaking, sounds above 85dB are considered to be harmful. The average hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is about this volume. That’s important to note because these sounds might not seem particularly noisy. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t result in damage.
How can I prevent noise-related hearing loss?
Each year, millions of individuals are impacted by hearing loss. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-induced hearing loss can present at any age. That’s why prevention is so important. Here are a few of the most practical prevention strategies:
- Limit your time in noisy environments: The more noisy the environment, the more you should regulate your time. Your ears can be safeguarded from long-term damage in this way. Every thirty minutes or so, when you’re at a loud sporting event, for example, go and spend some time in a less noisy area.
- 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 recuperate and avoid further and more significant damage.
- Turn down the volume at home: Your ears can get a break by simply turning down the volume on your devices. Damage will develop more rapidly if you’re always listening to your devices at a high volume.
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss normally doesn’t happen all of a sudden. Many individuals won’t detect the symptoms for months or years. Frequently, the only way to find out whether you have any noise-induced hearing loss is to have your hearing examined. We will help you comprehend how to keep your hearing healthy for years to come and discuss treatment solutions for any hearing loss you might already have.
- 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 abruptly in a noisy environment, a cheap set of disposable earplugs can help prevent substantial hearing damage.
- Wear hearing protection: If you can’t avoid noisy environments (or don’t want to miss out on certain enjoyable activities), you can get a set of quality ear muffs or ear plugs. When you’re in locations that are too loud, use this protection to your advantage. Damage can be avoided in this way. Custom hearing protection devices personalized to your ears and your hearing can be particularly effective.
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: You might be surprised at just how fast sounds can increase above that 85dB danger zone level. Even your earbuds and headphones can begin to do damage at these volume levels. There are numerous dependable apps available for smartphones that can help you monitor ambient noise levels, so you can be more aware of when your surroundings become dangerous to your hearing.
Noise-induced hearing loss is not inevitable. You’re hearing can be preserved by using prevention strategies. With the correct approach, you can enjoy all that summer, or any other season, has to offer and protect your hearing.
Consulting with us can help begin your journey towards healthier ears and better hearing. Call today for an appointment!