The average summer day is usually filled with fun activities 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. Over time, the loud noises that accompany some of these experiences can cause permanent hearing damage. 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 occurs when overly loud noises, over time, cause damage to your hearing. The result of this exposure is loss of hearing. Noise-induced hearing loss is effectively permanent.
There is no cure, though this type of hearing loss can be effectively managed. Over the long run, you can safeguard your hearing and prevent damage by being aware of prevalent sources of loud noise and developing prevention strategies. With a few simple adjustments, you can enjoy your summer fun and protect your hearing health.
Is it actually that loud during the summer?
Summer may be one of those times of year in which noise hazards are easiest to overlook. Some of the most prevalent hazardously loud noises include the following:
- Fireworks events: Many places have fireworks displays monthly or more during the summer. They take place at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. But fireworks shows are definitely loud enough to cause irreversible hearing damage.
- Sporting events: Crowd noise can damage your hearing, particularly at events like auto racing or monster truck rallies.
- Driving: If you’re driving with the windows down, the wind noise can reach damaging volumes in your ears and this is even more relevant if you drive a convertible. This is particularly true if the sound happens for long periods without breaks.
- 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 usually quieter.
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they are 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 important to remember that all of those power tools can be quite noisy. The more you utilize these tools, the more your hearing hazard increases.
The volume level that’s considered to be where damage starts to occur is around 85 dB. The average hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is about this volume. These sounds may not seem especially loud so this is important to note. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t cause damage.
How can I prevent noise-related hearing loss?
Noise-induced hearing loss impacts millions of people every year. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-induced hearing loss can happen at any age. Prevention is significant for this exact reason. Some of the most effective prevention strategies include the following:
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): If you attended a loud fireworks display, 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 recuperate.
- Get your hearing checked: In some cases, hearing loss sneaks up on you quite slowly. Many people won’t detect the symptoms for months or years. Often, the only way to find out whether you have any noise-related hearing loss is to get your hearing examined. We will help you comprehend how to keep your hearing healthy for years to come and discuss treatment solutions for any hearing loss you might already have.
- Wear hearing protection: Keep a pair of ear plugs or ear muffs on hand in case you can’t or are not willing to avoid specific noisy situations. When you are in environments that are too noisy, use this protection to your advantage. Damage can be avoided in this way. Custom hearing protection devices tailored to your ears and your hearing can be particularly effective.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Disposable earplugs aren’t as reliable as more customized types, but they’re a lot better than nothing! An inexpensive set of disposable earplugs can help prevent considerable damage if you find yourself in a loud setting all of a sudden.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: The more noisy the environment, the more you should regulate your 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 instance, go and spend some time in a quieter area.
- Turn down the volume at home: Your ears can get a break by simply turning down the volume on your devices. Damage will develop faster if you’re always listening to your devices at a loud volume.
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: 85 dB might not seem like a lot, but you would probably be surprised how fast sounds can escalate 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 start to get too high by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
You don’t need to resign yourself to getting noise-related hearing loss. You’re hearing can be maintained by making use of prevention strategies. With the right strategy, you can enjoy all that summer, or any other season, has to offer and safeguard your hearing.
Talking to us can help start your journey towards healthier ears and better hearing. Call today for an appointment!