The average summer day is likely filled with fun experiences and happenings, from motorcycle rides to family outings to fireworks to sporting events. The majority of these activities are perfectly safe and healthy, but some do come with a risk of noise-related hearing loss. That’s because loud noises, over time, can damage your ability to hear. A loud motorcycle engine or the roar of a crowd could be causing long-term, noise-related hearing loss.
Over time, really loud noises can cause damage to your ears. The result of this exposure is loss of hearing. This kind of hearing loss is irreversible.
Although this kind of hearing loss can’t be cured, it can be successfully treated. Increasing your awareness of these prevalent loud noises can help you better control risks and develop prevention strategies, so you can protect your hearing over the long run. You can safeguard the health of your hearing while still enjoying summer fun by utilizing a few basic adjustments.
Is summer actually that noisy?
Summer may be one of those times of year where noise risks are easiest to overlook. Some of the most prevalent 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 particularly true if the sound happens for long periods without breaks.
- Loud concerts: Even outside concerts present considerable hazards to your hearing health. These events are, after all, meant to be quite loud.
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is an excellent time for home improvement projects. But it’s important to remember that all of those power tools can be quite noisy. The more you use these tools, the more your hearing risk increases.
- Sporting events: Any time you’re around loud 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).
- Fireworks events: Many areas have fireworks displays monthly or more during the summer. They happen at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. Regrettably, fireworks are extremely loud and can certainly cause damage to your ears.
- Routine lawn care: This might include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. The powerful motors in many of these mechanical tools are very loud. Motors that run on electricity rather than gas are usually quite a bit quieter, though.
In general, sounds above 85dB are considered to be harmful. The average hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is about this volume. These sounds may not seem especially loud so this is important to note. But the volume of these devices can result in hearing damage over time.
How can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
Noise-induced hearing loss effects millions of people every year. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-induced hearing loss can occur at any age. Prevention is important for this precise reason. Some of the most successful prevention strategies include the following:
- Get your hearing checked: In some cases, hearing loss creeps up on you quite gradually. Many people won’t notice the symptoms for months or years. Getting your hearing examined can help you identify whether you have noise-related hearing loss. We’ll be able to talk about how to prevent additional damage, which treatment options may be appropriate, and how to keep your hearing as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
- Wear hearing protection: Keep a set of ear plugs or ear muffs handy in case you can’t or aren’t willing to avoid specific loud 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 utilizing hearing protection costume made for you.
- Turn down the volume at home: Simply reducing 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 progress more quickly.
- 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 loud environment, a cheap set of disposable earplugs can help prevent substantial hearing damage.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really loud, you need to regulate your exposure time. Your ears can be protected from long-term damage in this way. Every thirty minutes or so, when you’re at a loud sporting event, for instance, go and spend some time in a less noisy spot.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): If you went to a loud fireworks display, make sure your next day is a quiet one. This can give your ears more time to recover and avoid further and more significant damage.
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: You may be surprised at just how rapidly sounds can escalate above that 85dB danger zone volume. Even your earbuds and headphones can begin to do damage at these volume levels. There are numerous reliable apps available for smartphones that can help you monitor ambient noise levels, so you can be more mindful of when your surroundings become harmful to your hearing.
Noise-related hearing loss is not inevitable. You’re hearing can be maintained by using prevention strategies. With the proper strategy, you can enjoy all that summer, or any other season, has to offer and safeguard your hearing.
Consulting with us can help start your journey towards healthier ears and better hearing. Call today for an appointment!