The average summer day is likely filled with fun experiences and happenings, from motorcycle rides to family outings to fireworks to sporting events. The majority of these activities are perfectly safe and healthy, but some 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 a roaring crowd could be causing long-term, noise-induced hearing loss.
Over time, very loud noises can cause damage to your ears. The consequence of this exposure is loss of hearing. This type of hearing loss is irreversible.
Even though this type of hearing loss has no cure, it can be effectively treated. Increasing your awareness of these common loud noises can help you better control 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 utilizing a few simple adjustments.
Is summer really that noisy?
Summer may be one of those times of year in which noise risks are easiest to overlook. Some of the most prevalent hazardously loud noises include the following:
- Fireworks events: Summer has lots of fireworks. They occur at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. Regrettably, fireworks are extremely loud and can definitely cause damage to your hearing.
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they’re outdoor concerts. These events are, after all, meant to be quite loud.
- 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 especially true if the sound occurs for long intervals without breaks.
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is an ideal time for home improvement projects. But power tools, in general, are often quite loud. The more you utilize these tools, the more your hearing hazard increases.
- Sporting events: Crowd noise can damage your hearing, particularly at events like auto racing or monster truck rallies.
- Routine lawn care: This category includes chainsaws, weed wackers, leaf blowers, and lawnmowers. These tools have very loud powerful motors. Motors that run on electricity instead of gas are normally much quieter, though.
In general, sounds above 85dB are considered to be harmful. This is around the range of a lawnmower, hair dryer, or a typical blender. That’s significant to be aware of because these sounds might not seem particularly noisy. But the volume of these devices can result in hearing damage over time.
How can I prevent noise-related hearing loss?
Each year, millions of people are affected by hearing loss. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-induced hearing loss can occur at any age. Prevention is significant for this precise reason. Some of the most effective prevention strategies include the following:
- Wear hearing protection: If you can’t avoid loud environments (or don’t want to miss out on particular fun activities), you can get a set of quality ear muffs or ear plugs. Wear this hearing protection when you need to, when you are in environments that are noisy. Damage can be avoided in this way. Custom hearing protection devices personalized to your ears and your hearing can be especially effective.
- 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. An inexpensive pair of disposable earplugs can help prevent significant damage if you find yourself in a noisy environment all of a sudden.
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss normally doesn’t develop suddenly. It could take years to detect in many circumstances. Frequently, the only way to determine whether you have any noise-related hearing loss is to have your hearing examined. 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.
- Turn down the volume at home: Your ears can get a break by simply turning down the volume on your devices. Damage will develop more rapidly if you’re always listening to your devices at a loud volume.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): Spend a quieter next day after going to a fireworks display. Additional and more substantial damage can be avoided by giving your ears a chance to rest and recuperate.
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: 85 dB might not seem like a lot, but you would most likely be surprised how fast sounds can increase above that minimum threshold. At these volume levels, even your headphones or earbuds can rapidly start harming your ears. You can become more conscious of when volume levels begin to get too high by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: The louder the environment, the more you should limit your time. Your ears can be safeguarded from long-term damage in this way. Every thirty minutes or so, when you’re at a noisy sporting event, for instance, go and spend some time in a quieter spot.
You don’t need to resign yourself to getting 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 proper strategy.
Talking to us can help start your journey towards healthier ears and better hearing. Call today for an appointment!
