From sporting events to family gatherings to fireworks shows to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with enjoyable activities. Most of these activities are perfectly 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 damage your ability to hear. A loud motorcycle engine or a roaring crowd could be causing long-term, noise-induced 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. This kind of hearing loss is irreversible.
There is no cure, but this type of hearing loss can be effectively controlled. Increasing your awareness of these common loud noises can help you better manage risks and establish prevention strategies, so you can protect your hearing over the long run. You can protect the health of your hearing while still enjoying summer fun by using a few simple adjustments.
Is summer actually that noisy?
It can be really easy to miss noise hazards during the summer months. Here are a few of the most common and also most hazardous:
- Routine lawn care: This could include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. The powerful motors in many of these mechanical tools are incredibly loud. It’s worth noting that entirely electric motors are often quieter.
- Sporting events: Any time you’re in loud crowds, you could increase your risk of noise damage (this can be even more relevant at sporting events that feature motorized attractions, including a Nascar race or monster truck rally).
- 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 particularly true if the sound happens for long intervals without breaks.
- Loud concerts: Even outdoor concerts present substantial risks to your hearing health. After all, these events are planned to be as loud as possible.
- Routine use of power tools: Home improvement projects are great activities during the summer. But power tools, in general, are often really loud. The more you use these tools, the more your hearing hazard increases.
- Fireworks events: Many places have fireworks displays every month or more during the summer. They happen at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. But fireworks shows are definitely loud enough to cause irreversible hearing damage.
The volume level that’s considered to be where damage starts to occur is about 85 dB. The average hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is around this volume. That’s important to be aware of because these sounds might not feel particularly noisy. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t cause damage.
Preventing noise-induced hearing damage
Noise-induced hearing loss effects millions of people each year. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-related hearing loss can occur at any age. Prevention is important for this exact reason. Some of the most effective prevention strategies include the following:
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Using 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 significant damage if you find yourself in a noisy environment all of a sudden.
- 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. Damage will advance more rapidly if you’re always listening to your devices at a loud volume.
- Wear hearing protection: If you cannot avoid loud situations (or don’t want to miss out on particular fun activities), you can invest in a set of quality ear muffs or ear plugs. Use this hearing protection whenever you need to, when you are in situations 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.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): Spend a quieter next day after going to a fireworks display. This can give your ears more time to recover and prevent further and more significant damage.
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: You might be surprised at just how fast 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 reliable 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.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really noisy, you should limit your exposure time. Your ears can be protected 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 less noisy spot.
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss normally doesn’t develop all of a sudden. Many individuals won’t notice the symptoms for months or years. Having your hearing examined can help you identify whether you have noise-induced hearing loss. 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 maintained by making use of prevention strategies. With the correct strategy, you can enjoy all that summer, or any other season, has to offer and safeguard your hearing.
Consulting with us can help begin your journey towards healthier ears and better hearing. Call today for an appointment!
