From sporting events to family gatherings to fireworks shows to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with enjoyable experiences. And while most of these activities are safe, many can present hidden risks to your hearing health. That’s because loud noises, over time, can harm your ability to hear. A loud motorcycle engine or the roar of a crowd could be contributing to long-term, noise-related hearing loss.
What is noise-induced hearing loss? This condition happens when extremely loud noises, over time, cause damage to your hearing. The result of this exposure is loss of hearing. This type of hearing loss has no cure.
Although this kind of hearing loss has no cure, it can be successfully treated. Raising your awareness of these common loud noises can help you better manage risks and establish prevention strategies, so you can protect your hearing over the long run. With a few simple adjustments, you can enjoy your summer fun and protect your hearing health.
Is summer actually that noisy?
It can be very easy to overlook noise risks during the summer months. Some of the most common dangerously loud noises include the following:
- Loud concerts: Even outdoor concerts present substantial hazards to your hearing health. These events are, after all, meant to be really loud.
- Driving: If you’re driving with the windows down, the wind noise can reach harmful volumes in your ears and this is even more pertinent if you drive a convertible. And the risk becomes dramatically worse the longer you are exposed.
- Fireworks events: Summer has lots of fireworks. They take place at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. Unfortunately, fireworks are extremely loud and can certainly cause damage to your ears.
- Routine lawn care: This could include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. These tools have very loud powerful motors. Motors that run on electricity rather than gas are usually quite a bit quieter, though.
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is a perfect time for home improvement projects. But it’s crucial to keep in mind that all of those power tools can be really noisy. Your hearing health is in increasing danger the more you use these tools.
- Sporting events: Crowd noise can harm your hearing, particularly at events like auto racing or monster truck rallies.
The volume level that’s considered to be where damage starts to happen is around 85 dB. This is around the range of a lawnmower, hair dryer, or a typical blender. These sounds might not seem particularly loud so this is significant to note. But the volume of these devices can cause hearing damage over time.
Preventing noise-related hearing damage
Each year, millions of individuals are affected by hearing loss. Noise-related hearing loss can happen at any age, unlike age-related hearing loss. Prevention is important for this precise reason. Here are a few of the most practical prevention strategies:
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Utilizing disposable earplugs might not be as effective as customized earplugs but, in a pinch, they’re better than no protection at all. If you find yourself suddenly in a noisy environment, a cheap pair of disposable earplugs can help prevent substantial hearing 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 level. At these volume levels, even your headphones or earbuds can quickly start damaging your ears. You can become more aware of when volume levels start to get too loud by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- Get your hearing checked: Sometimes, hearing loss creeps up on you really gradually. It could take years to detect in many cases. Having your hearing checked can help you determine whether you have noise-related hearing loss. We will help you understand how to keep your hearing healthy for years to come and talk about treatment options for any hearing loss you may already have.
- Wear hearing protection: If you cannot avoid loud situations (or don’t want to miss out on certain fun activities), you can get a set of quality ear muffs or ear plugs. 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 particularly benefited by utilizing hearing protection costume designed for you.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really loud, you need to limit your exposure time. Your ears can be safeguarded from long-term damage in this way. If you’re at a loud sporting event, for example, go to a quieter spot every thirty minutes or so.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): Spend a quieter next day after attending a fireworks display. This can give your ears more time to recover and prevent further and more significant damage.
- Turn down the volume at home: Your ears can get a rest by simply lowering the volume on your devices. Damage will develop more rapidly if you’re always listening to your devices at a high volume.
You don’t need to resign yourself to getting noise-induced hearing loss. Prevention strategies can help maintain your hearing. You can safeguard your hearing and enjoy fun activities in any season with the proper approach.
Consulting with us can help start your journey towards healthier ears and better hearing. Call today for an appointment!