The typical summer day is likely filled with fun experiences and happenings, from motorcycle rides to family outings to fireworks to sporting events. Most of these activities are completely safe and healthy, but there are some that do come with a risk of noise-related hearing loss. 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 causing long-term, noise-related hearing loss.
What is noise-related hearing loss? This condition happens 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.
There is no cure, though this form of hearing loss can be effectively controlled. Raising your awareness of these prevalent loud noises can help you better control risks and establish prevention strategies, so you can safeguard your hearing over the long run. You can safeguard the health of your hearing while still enjoying summer fun by making use of a few simple adjustments.
Is it actually that loud during the summer?
Summer may be one of those times of year where noise hazards are easiest to miss. Here are some of the most common and also most harmful:
- Driving: If you’re driving with the windows down, the wind noise can reach damaging volumes in your ears and this is even more significant if you drive a convertible. This is especially true if the sound happens for long periods without breaks.
- Fireworks events: Summer is full of fireworks. From neighborhood parties to holiday festivities to sporting events, fireworks displays are everywhere during the summer months. Regrettably, fireworks are extremely loud and can certainly cause damage to your ears.
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they’re outdoor concerts. After all, these events are designed to be as loud as possible.
- 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 quite noisy. The more you use these tools, the more your hearing risk increases.
- Routine lawn care: This may include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. The powerful motors in most of these mechanical tools are extremely loud. It’s worth pointing out that purely electric motors are often quieter.
- 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).
The volume level that’s considered to be where damage starts to happen is about 85 dB. A typical hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is about this volume. That’s significant to be aware of because these sounds may not seem particularly noisy. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t cause damage.
How can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
Noise-induced hearing loss effects millions of individuals every year. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-related hearing loss can happen at any age. That’s why prevention is so significant. Here are a few of the most helpful prevention strategies:
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really noisy, you should regulate your exposure 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 example, go and spend some time in a less noisy area.
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: You might be surprised at just how rapidly sounds can escalate above that 85dB danger zone volume. Even your earbuds and headphones can begin to do damage at these volume levels. There are numerous dependable 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.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Disposable earplugs aren’t as effective as more customized types, but they’re much better than nothing! If you find yourself abruptly in a noisy environment, a cheap set of disposable earplugs can help prevent substantial hearing damage.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): If you went to a loud fireworks show, make sure your next day is a quiet one. This can give your ears more time to recover and prevent further and more substantial damage.
- Wear hearing protection: Keep a set of ear plugs or ear muffs on hand in case you can’t or aren’t willing to avoid certain loud situations. Wear this hearing protection whenever you need to, when you are in situations that are noisy. This can help you avoid damage. You can be especially benefited by using hearing protection costume made for you.
- Get your hearing checked: In some cases, hearing loss sneaks up on you very gradually. Many individuals won’t notice the symptoms for months or years. Often, the only way to determine whether you have any noise-induced hearing loss is to have your hearing checked. We will help you comprehend how to keep your hearing healthy for years to come and talk about treatment solutions for any hearing loss you may already have.
- Turn down the volume at home: Simply lowering 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.
Noise-related hearing loss isn’t inevitable. You’re hearing can be preserved by utilizing prevention strategies. You can protect your hearing and enjoy fun activities in any season with the right approach.
Consulting with us can help start your journey towards healthier ears and better hearing. Call today for an appointment!