From sporting events to family gatherings to fireworks shows to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with enjoyable experiences. The majority of these activities are completely safe and healthy, but some do come with a risk of noise-related hearing loss. That’s because loud noises, over time, can harm your ability to hear. This hearing damage could be caused by anything from the roar of a motorcycle engine to the booms of a fireworks show.
What is noise-induced hearing loss? This condition happens when overly loud noises, over time, trigger damage to your hearing. As a result, you experience hearing loss. This type of hearing loss has no cure.
Although this kind of hearing loss can’t be cured, it can be successfully managed. Raising your awareness of these prevalent loud noises can help you better manage risks and develop 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 making use of a few simple adjustments.
Is summer actually that noisy?
It can be quite easy to overlook noise risks during the summer months. Some of the most prevalent dangerously loud noises include the following:
- Routine lawn care: This could include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. The powerful motors in most of these mechanical tools are incredibly loud. Motors that run on electricity rather than gas are typically much quieter, though.
- Routine use of power tools: Home improvement projects are perfect activities during the summer. But it’s important to keep in mind that all of those power tools can be quite noisy. Your hearing health is in increasing danger the more you utilize these tools.
- Driving: If you’re driving with the windows down, the wind noise can reach damaging volumes in your ears and this is even more relevant if you drive a convertible. And the risk becomes exponentially worse the longer you are exposed.
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they are outside concerts. These events are, after all, intended to be quite loud.
- Sporting events: Crowd noise can harm your hearing, especially at events like auto racing or monster truck rallies.
- Fireworks events: Many places have fireworks displays monthly or more during the summer. From neighborhood gatherings to holiday celebrations to sporting events, fireworks displays are everywhere during the summer months. But fireworks shows are definitely loud enough to cause irreversible hearing damage.
The volume level that’s regarded as where damage starts to happen is about 85 dB. This is around the range of a lawnmower, hair dryer, or a typical blender. That’s important to take note of because these sounds may 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 people are affected 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. Some of the most reliable prevention strategies include the following:
- 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. Even your earbuds and headphones can begin to do damage at these volume levels. There are many reliable apps available for smartphones that can help you track ambient noise levels, so you can be more mindful of when your surroundings become harmful to your hearing.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: The louder the environment, the more you should regulate your time. Your ears can be safeguarded from long-term damage in this way. If you’re at a noisy sporting event, for example, walk to a quieter spot every thirty minutes or so.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): If you attended a loud fireworks display, make sure your next day is a quiet one. This can give your ears more time to recover and prevent further and more significant damage.
- Turn down the volume at home: Simply turning down the volume on your TV and music playing devices can help give your ears some quiet and a chance to recover. When everything is loud all the time, damage can develop much faster.
- Wear hearing protection: If you can’t avoid noisy environments (or don’t want to miss out on certain fun activities), you can get a set of good ear muffs or ear plugs. When you are in settings 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.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Using disposable earplugs may not be as effective as customized earplugs but, in a pinch, they’re better than no protection at all. An inexpensive pair of disposable earplugs can help prevent significant damage if you find yourself in a loud environment all of a sudden.
- Get your hearing checked: In some cases, hearing loss creeps up on you quite slowly. It could take years to detect in many circumstances. Frequently, the only way to determine 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 may already have.
Noise-induced hearing loss is not unavoidable. You’re hearing can be maintained by using prevention strategies. You can safeguard your hearing and enjoy fun activities in any season with the right strategy.
Begin your journey towards better hearing by giving us a call for an appointment.