The average summer day is likely filled with fun experiences and happenings, from motorcycle rides to family reunions to fireworks to sporting events. And while most of these activities are healthy, many can present hidden risks to your hearing health. That’s because loud noises, over time, can harm your ability to hear. This hearing damage could be due to anything from the roar of a motorcycle engine to the booms of a fireworks display.
What is noise-related 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 is irreversible.
There is no cure, though this type of hearing loss can be successfully controlled. Raising your awareness of these common loud noises can help you better manage 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 using a few basic adjustments.
Is summer really that noisy?
It can be really easy to miss noise risks during the summer months. Some of the most prevalent dangerously loud noises include the following:
- Sporting events: Any time you’re in 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).
- Fireworks events: Many towns have fireworks displays every month or more during the summer. They occur at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. Unfortunately, fireworks are incredibly loud and can definitely cause damage to your ears.
- Routine lawn care: This could include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. These tools have really loud powerful motors. It’s worth noting that purely electric motors are often quieter.
- Loud concerts: Even outdoor concerts present considerable hazards to your hearing health. These events are, after all, intended to be quite loud.
- Driving: A Sunday drive is very popular, but the wind rushing into your windows (or all around you if you happen to be driving a convertible) can be tough on your ears. This is particularly true if the sound happens for long durations without breaks.
- 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. The more you utilize these tools, the more your hearing risk increases.
The volume level that’s regarded as where damage starts to happen is around 85 dB. The average hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is about this volume. These sounds might not seem especially loud so this is important to note. But the volume of these devices can cause hearing damage over time.
Preventing noise-induced hearing damage
Each year, millions of people are impacted by hearing loss. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-related hearing loss can occur at any age. Prevention is important for this precise reason. Some of the most successful prevention strategies include the following:
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: You might be surprised at just how quickly sounds can increase above that 85dB danger zone volume. At these volume levels, even your headphones or earbuds can rapidly begin damaging your ears. There are many reliable apps available for smartphones that can help you track ambient noise levels, so you can be more aware of when your surroundings become dangerous to your hearing.
- Turn down the volume at home: Your ears can get a rest by simply turning down the volume on your devices. When everything is loud all the time, damage can progress more quickly.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really noisy, you should regulate your exposure 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.
- Get your hearing checked: In some cases, hearing loss creeps up on you quite gradually. Many individuals won’t detect the symptoms for months or years. Often, the only way to find out whether you have any noise-induced hearing loss is to have your hearing examined. We’ll be able to go over how to prevent further damage, which treatment options might be appropriate, and how to keep your hearing as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
- Wear hearing protection: If you cannot avoid noisy environments (or don’t want to miss out on particular fun activities), you can get a set of good ear muffs or ear plugs. When you’re in locations that are too loud, use this protection to your advantage. This can help prevent damage. You can be particularly benefited by making use of hearing protection costume made for you.
- 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. This can give your ears more time to recuperate and avoid further and more substantial damage.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Disposable earplugs aren’t as reliable as more customized types, but they’re much better than nothing! An inexpensive pair of disposable earplugs can help prevent significant damage if you find yourself in a loud environment all of a sudden.
Noise-related hearing loss is not unavoidable. You’re hearing can be preserved by using prevention strategies. With the proper approach, you can enjoy all that summer, or any other season, has to offer and protect your hearing.
Begin your journey towards better hearing by contacting us for an appointment.