From sporting events to family gatherings to fireworks shows to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with enjoyable experiences. And while the majority of these activities are healthy, many can present hidden risks to your hearing health. Over time, the loud noises that come with some of these experiences can cause permanent hearing damage. A loud motorcycle engine or a roaring crowd could be contributing to long-term, noise-induced hearing loss.
What is noise-related hearing loss? This condition occurs when excessively loud noises, over time, trigger damage to your hearing. The consequence of this exposure is loss of hearing. Noise-induced hearing loss is effectively irreversible.
There is no cure, but this type of hearing loss can be effectively managed. Increasing your awareness of these prevalent loud noises can help you better control risks and formulate 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 simple adjustments.
Is summer really that noisy?
Summer might be one of those times of year in which noise hazards are easiest to overlook. Here are some of the most prevalent and also most dangerous:
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they’re outside concerts. After all, these events are planned to be as loud as possible.
- Sporting events: Any time you’re around noisy crowds, you could increase your risk of noise damage (this can be even more prevalent at sporting events that feature motorized attractions, including a Nascar race or monster truck rally).
- Routine use of power tools: Home improvement projects are ideal activities during the summer. But it’s significant to remember that all of those power tools can be really noisy. The more you use these tools, the more your hearing hazard increases.
- Fireworks events: Many towns have fireworks displays monthly or more during the summer. They happen at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. But fireworks shows are definitely loud enough to trigger irreversible hearing damage.
- Driving: Taking 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 hard on your ears. This is especially true if the sound happens for long durations without breaks.
- Routine lawn care: This might include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. These tools have very loud powerful motors. It’s worth pointing out that purely electric motors are usually quieter.
The volume level that’s regarded as where damage begins to occur is about 85 dB. This is about the volume of a lawnmower, hair dryer, or a typical blender. These sounds may not seem especially loud so this is significant to note. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t result in damage.
How can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
Every 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 important for this exact reason. Here are a few of the most helpful prevention strategies:
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss usually doesn’t develop suddenly. It could take years to notice in many instances. Having your hearing checked can help you identify whether you have noise-related hearing loss. We will help you comprehend how to keep your hearing healthy for years to come and discuss treatment options 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 far better than nothing! If you find yourself abruptly in a loud environment, a cheap pair of disposable earplugs can help prevent substantial hearing damage.
- 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 volume. Even your earbuds and headphones can start to do damage at these volume levels. You can become more conscious of when volume levels begin to get too loud by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really loud, you should limit your exposure time. This can help protect against long-term damage to your ears. If you’re at a loud sporting event, for instance, go to a quieter spot every thirty minutes or so.
- Wear hearing protection: If you can’t avoid noisy situations (or don’t want to miss out on certain fun activities), you can invest in a pair of good ear muffs or ear plugs. When you are in environments that are too noisy, use this protection to your advantage. This can help prevent damage. Custom hearing protection devices tailored to your ears and your hearing can be particularly effective.
- Turn down the volume at home: Simply turning down the volume on your TV and music playing devices can help give your ears some rest and a chance to recuperate. Damage will develop more rapidly if you’re always listening to your devices at a high volume.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): If you attended a loud fireworks show, make sure your next day is a quiet one. Additional and more substantial damage can be prevented by giving your ears an opportunity to rest and recover.
You don’t need to resign yourself to having noise-related hearing loss. Prevention strategies can help maintain your hearing. You can safeguard your hearing and enjoy fun activities in any season with the right approach.
Start your journey towards better hearing by giving us a call for an appointment.