The typical summer day is likely filled with fun activities and happenings, from motorcycle rides to family reunions to fireworks to sporting events. And while most of these activities are healthy, many can present invisible risks to your hearing health. Over time, the loud noises that accompany some of these experiences can lead to irreversible hearing damage. This hearing damage could be caused by anything from a roaring motorcycle engine to the booms of a fireworks display.
What is noise-induced 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. This kind of hearing loss has no cure.
There is no cure, but this type of hearing loss can be effectively controlled. Over the long run, you can safeguard your hearing and avoid damage by being aware of prevalent sources of loud noise and developing prevention strategies. You can protect the health of your hearing while still enjoying summer fun by using a few simple adjustments.
Is it actually that loud during the summer?
Summer may be one of those times of year in which noise hazards are easiest to miss. Some of the most prevalent dangerously loud noises include the following:
- 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 really noisy. The more you utilize these tools, the more your hearing hazard increases.
- Driving: If you’re driving with the windows down, the wind noise can reach damaging volumes in your ears and this is even more pertinent if you drive a convertible. And the risk becomes dramatically worse the longer you’re exposed.
- Sporting events: Crowd noise can damage your hearing, especially at events like auto racing or monster truck rallies.
- Routine lawn care: This category includes chainsaws, weed wackers, leaf blowers, and lawnmowers. The powerful motors in many of these mechanical tools are very loud. It’s worth noting that purely electric motors are usually quieter.
- Fireworks events: Many areas have fireworks displays every month or more during the summer. From neighborhood get-togethers to holiday celebrations to sporting events, fireworks shows are everywhere during the summer months. But fireworks shows are definitely loud enough to cause irreversible hearing damage.
- Loud concerts: Even outdoor concerts present considerable risks to your hearing health. After all, these events are planned to be as loud as possible.
The volume level that’s regarded as where damage begins to happen is around 85 dB. The average hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is around this volume. These sounds may not seem particularly loud so this is significant to note. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t cause damage.
How can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
Each year, millions of people are affected by hearing loss. 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:
- 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. When everything is loud all the time, damage can advance more quickly.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: The louder the environment, the more you should limit your time. This can help protect against long-term damage to your hearing. Every thirty minutes or so, when you’re at a loud sporting event, for instance, go and spend some time in a quieter spot.
- Wear hearing protection: If you can’t avoid noisy situations (or don’t want to miss out on certain fun activities), you can get a set of quality ear muffs or ear plugs. When you’re in settings that are too noisy, use this protection to your advantage. Damage can be avoided in this way. You can be especially benefited by making use of hearing protection costume made for you.
- Get your hearing checked: Sometimes, hearing loss creeps up on you really gradually. It could take years to notice in many cases. Frequently, the only way to determine whether you have any noise-induced 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.
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: 85 dB may not seem like a lot, but you would probably be surprised how fast sounds can increase above that minimum threshold. At these volume levels, even your headphones or earbuds can rapidly begin damaging 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.
- 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): Spend a quieter next day after attending a fireworks display. This can give your ears more time to recuperate and prevent further and more significant damage.
You don’t need to resign yourself to getting noise-induced hearing loss. You’re hearing can be maintained by using prevention strategies. With the correct strategy, you can enjoy all that summer, or any other season, has to offer and protect your hearing.
Start your journey towards better hearing by contacting us for an appointment.
