The typical summer day is likely filled with fun experiences and happenings, from motorcycle rides to family reunions to fireworks to sporting events. Most of these activities are perfectly safe and healthy, but there are some that 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 contributing to long-term, noise-induced hearing loss.
Over time, really loud noises can trigger damage to your ears. As a result, you experience hearing loss. Noise-related hearing loss is effectively irreversible.
Although this kind of hearing loss has no cure, it can be effectively managed. Over the long run, you can safeguard your hearing and avoid damage by being aware of prevalent sources of loud noise and developing prevention strategies. With a few simple adjustments, you can enjoy your summer fun and protect your hearing health.
Is summer actually that noisy?
Summer may be one of those times of year where noise risks are easiest to miss. Some of the most common dangerously loud noises include the following:
- Driving: Going for a Sunday drive is incredibly popular, but the wind rushing into 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 periods without breaks.
- Routine use of power tools: Home improvement projects are ideal activities during the summer. But power tools, in general, are often really loud. The more you utilize these tools, the more your hearing risk increases.
- Sporting events: Any time you’re around noisy crowds, you could increase your risk of noise damage (this can be even more relevant at sporting events that feature motorized attractions, including a Nascar race or monster truck rally).
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they’re outdoor concerts. These events are, after all, intended to be quite loud.
- Routine lawn care: This could include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. These tools have really loud powerful motors. Motors that run on electricity rather than gas are usually much quieter, though.
- Fireworks events: Many places have fireworks displays monthly or more during the summer. From neighborhood get-togethers to holiday celebrations to sporting events, fireworks shows are everywhere during the summer months. But fireworks shows are definitely loud enough to trigger irreversible hearing damage.
The volume level that’s considered to be where damage begins to happen is about 85 dB. This is around the range of a lawnmower, hair dryer, or a typical blender. These sounds may not seem especially loud so this is important to note. But the volume of these devices can cause hearing damage over time.
How can I prevent noise-related hearing loss?
Each year, millions of people are impacted by hearing loss. Noise-related hearing loss can happen at any age, unlike age-related hearing loss. Prevention is significant for this precise reason. Here are some of the most practical prevention strategies:
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss normally doesn’t happen suddenly. Many people 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 get your hearing checked. We’ll be able to go over how to avoid 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 are not willing to avoid certain noisy situations. Use this hearing protection when you need to, when you are in situations that are noisy. Damage can be avoided in this way. You can be especially benefited by making use of hearing protection costume designed for you.
- 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. This can give your ears more time to recover and prevent further and more substantial damage.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Utilizing disposable earplugs might not be as reliable as customized earplugs but, in a pinch, they’re better than no protection at all. An inexpensive set of disposable earplugs can help prevent considerable damage if you find yourself in a loud environment all of a sudden.
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: 85 dB may not seem like a lot, but you would most likely be surprised how fast sounds can escalate above that minimum threshold. Even your earbuds and headphones can start to do damage at these volume levels. You can become more aware of when volume levels begin to get too loud by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: The louder the environment, the more you should regulate your time. This can help prevent long-term damage to your ears. Every thirty minutes or so, when you’re at a loud sporting event, for example, go and spend some time in a quieter spot.
- 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 develop more quickly.
You don’t need to resign yourself to getting noise-related hearing loss. You’re hearing can be preserved by making use of prevention strategies. With the correct strategy, you can enjoy all that summer, or any other season, has to offer and safeguard your hearing.
Start your journey towards better hearing by giving us a call for an appointment.