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 invisible risks to your hearing health. Over time, the loud noises that come with some of these experiences can result in irreversible hearing damage. A loud motorcycle engine or a roaring crowd could be causing long-term, noise-induced hearing loss.
What is noise-induced hearing loss? This condition occurs when excessively loud noises, over time, cause damage to your hearing. As a result, you experience hearing loss. This kind of hearing loss has no cure.
Although this type of hearing loss has no cure, it can be successfully treated. Over the long run, you can protect your hearing and avoid damage by being aware of prevalent sources of loud noise and formulating prevention strategies. You can safeguard the health of your hearing while still enjoying summer fun by making use of a few simple adjustments.
Is it really that loud during the summer?
It can be quite easy to overlook noise risks during the summer months. Some of the most prevalent dangerously loud noises include the following:
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is an excellent time for home improvement projects. But it’s significant to remember that all of those power tools can be really noisy. Your hearing health is in increasing risk the more you use these tools.
- Loud concerts: Even outdoor concerts have substantial hazards to your hearing health. These events are, after all, meant to be really loud.
- Sporting events: Crowd noise can harm your hearing, especially at events like auto racing or monster truck rallies.
- Routine lawn care: This may include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. The powerful motors in most of these mechanical tools are incredibly loud. It’s worth noting that entirely electric motors are often quieter.
- Fireworks events: Many places have fireworks displays every month or more during the summer. From neighborhood parties to holiday celebrations to sporting events, fireworks displays are everywhere during the summer months. Unfortunately, fireworks are extremely loud and can certainly cause damage to your hearing.
- Driving: If you’re driving with the windows down, the wind noise can reach hazardous volumes in your ears and this is even more significant if you drive a convertible. This is particularly true if the sound happens for long durations without breaks.
The volume level that’s considered to be where damage starts to happen is about 85 dB. This is about the range of a lawnmower, hair dryer, or a typical blender. That’s significant to take note of because these sounds may not feel particularly noisy. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t result in damage.
How can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
Noise-induced hearing loss impacts millions of people each year. Noise-related hearing loss can occur at any age, unlike age-related hearing loss. Prevention is important for this exact reason. Some of the most effective prevention strategies include the following:
- Limit your time in noisy environments: The louder the environment, the more you should regulate your time. Your ears can be protected from long-term damage in this way. If you’re at a loud sporting event, for example, walk to a quieter area every thirty minutes or so.
- 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 set of disposable earplugs can help prevent considerable damage if you find yourself in a loud environment all of a sudden.
- Wear hearing protection: If you can’t avoid loud situations (or don’t want to miss out on certain fun activities), you can invest in a set of good ear muffs or ear plugs. When you are in settings that are too loud, use this protection to your advantage. Damage can be avoided in this way. Custom hearing protection devices personalized 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 recover. Damage will advance faster if you’re always listening to your devices at a loud volume.
- 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. At these volume levels, even your headphones or earbuds can quickly begin harming your ears. You can become more conscious of when volume levels begin to get too loud by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- 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 significant damage can be avoided by giving your ears an opportunity to rest and recover.
- Get your hearing checked: In some cases, hearing loss creeps up on you really slowly. Many people 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 get your hearing checked. We will help you comprehend how to keep your hearing healthy for years to come and discuss treatment options for any hearing loss you may already have.
Noise-related hearing loss is not unavoidable. Prevention strategies can help maintain your hearing. You can safeguard your hearing and enjoy fun activities in any season with the correct approach.
Begin your journey towards better hearing by giving us a call for an appointment.
