From sporting events to family get-togethers to fireworks shows to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with enjoyable experiences. And while the majority of these activities are safe, many can present hidden risks to your hearing health. That’s because loud noises, over time, can harm your ability to hear. This hearing damage could be due to anything from a roaring motorcycle engine to the booms of a fireworks show.
What is noise-related hearing loss? This condition occurs when excessively loud noises, over time, cause damage to your hearing. The consequence of this exposure is loss of hearing. Noise-related hearing loss is effectively irreversible.
Although this type of hearing loss can’t be cured, it can be effectively treated. Over the long run, you can protect your hearing and avoid 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 safeguard your hearing health.
Is it actually that loud during the summer?
Summer might 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:
- Driving: If you’re driving with the windows down, the wind noise can reach harmful volumes in your ears and this is even more pertinent if you drive a convertible. This is especially true if the sound occurs for long durations without breaks.
- 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.
- Sporting events: Crowd noise can harm your hearing, particularly at events such as 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 entirely electric motors are usually quieter.
- Routine use of power tools: Home improvement projects are perfect activities during the summer. But it’s crucial to remember that all of those power tools can be really noisy. Your hearing health is in increasing danger the more you use these tools.
- Fireworks events: Many places have fireworks displays every month or more during the summer. They occur at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. Unfortunately, fireworks are incredibly loud and can certainly cause damage to your ears.
The volume level that’s considered to be where damage starts to happen is around 85 dB. The average hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is around this volume. These sounds might not seem especially loud so this is important to note. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t cause damage.
Preventing noise-related hearing damage
Each year, millions of people are impacted by hearing loss. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-related hearing loss can happen at any age. That’s why prevention is so significant. Some of the most reliable prevention strategies include the following:
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: You may be surprised at just how rapidly sounds can increase above that 85dB danger zone volume. At these volume levels, even your headphones or earbuds can rapidly start damaging your hearing. You can become more conscious of when volume levels start to get too loud by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Making use of disposable earplugs may not be as reliable as customized earplugs but, in a pinch, they’re better than no protection at all. An inexpensive set of disposable earplugs can help prevent considerable damage if you find yourself in a noisy setting all of a sudden.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): If you went to a loud fireworks display, make sure your next day is a quiet one. This can give your ears more time to recuperate and prevent further and more significant damage.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: The more noisy the environment, the more you should regulate your time. This can help avoid 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 less noisy area.
- Wear hearing protection: If you cannot avoid noisy environments (or don’t want to miss out on certain fun activities), you can invest in a pair of good ear muffs or ear plugs. When you’re in locations that are too loud, use this protection to your advantage. Damage can be avoided in this way. You can be particularly benefited by utilizing hearing protection costume designed for you.
- Turn down the volume at home: Simply reducing the volume on your TV and music playing devices can help give your ears some quiet and a chance to recover. Damage will develop more rapidly if you’re always listening to your devices at a loud volume.
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss normally doesn’t happen suddenly. Many individuals 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 talk about treatment options for any hearing loss you may already have.
You don’t need to resign yourself to getting noise-induced hearing loss. You’re hearing can be preserved by utilizing prevention strategies. With the right approach, you can enjoy all that summer, or any other season, has to offer and safeguard your hearing.
Begin your journey towards better hearing by giving us a call for an appointment.
