From sporting events to family gatherings to fireworks shows to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with fun experiences. And while most 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 the roar of a motorcycle engine to the booms of a fireworks show.
Over time, very loud noises can cause damage to your ears. As a result, you experience hearing loss. Noise-related hearing loss is effectively irreversible.
Although this kind of hearing loss can’t be cured, it can be successfully managed. Over the long run, you can safeguard your hearing and prevent damage by being aware of common sources of loud noise and developing prevention strategies. You can protect the health of your hearing while still enjoying summer fun by making use of a few simple adjustments.
Is summer actually that noisy?
It can be quite easy to miss noise hazards during the summer months. Some of the most common dangerously loud noises include the following:
- Driving: Going for a Sunday drive is incredibly popular, but the wind rushing into your windows (or all around you if you happen to be driving a convertible) can be tough on your ears. And the risk becomes exponentially worse the longer you are exposed.
- Sporting events: Crowd noise can damage your hearing, particularly at events like auto racing or monster truck rallies.
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is a great time for home improvement projects. But it’s important to keep in mind that all of those power tools can be quite noisy. The more you utilize these tools, the more your hearing risk increases.
- 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 incredibly loud and can certainly cause damage to your ears.
- Routine lawn care: This may include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. The powerful motors in many of these mechanical tools are extremely loud. Motors that run on electricity instead of gas are usually much quieter, though.
- 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.
In general, sounds louder than 85dB are considered to be harmful. This is around the range of a lawnmower, hair dryer, or a typical blender. That’s important to note because these sounds may not seem particularly noisy. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t result in damage.
Preventing noise-related hearing damage
Every year, millions of people are impacted by hearing loss. Noise-related hearing loss can happen at any age, unlike age-related hearing loss. Prevention is significant for this precise reason. Here are a few of the most practical prevention strategies:
- Wear hearing protection: If you cannot avoid noisy situations (or don’t want to miss out on particular enjoyable activities), you can get a pair of quality ear muffs or ear plugs. Use this hearing protection when you need to, when you are in situations that are loud. Damage can be avoided in this way. You can be particularly benefited by utilizing hearing protection costume designed for you.
- 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 level. At these volume levels, even your headphones or earbuds can quickly start harming your hearing. There are many 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.
- 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 recuperate. When everything is loud all the time, damage can develop much faster.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Using disposable earplugs might not be as reliable as customized earplugs but, in a pinch, they’re better than no protection at all. An inexpensive pair of disposable earplugs can help prevent significant damage if you find yourself in a loud environment all of a sudden.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really loud, you need to regulate your exposure time. Your ears can be protected from long-term damage in this way. If you’re at a noisy sporting event, for instance, walk to a quieter area every thirty minutes or so.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): Spend a quieter next day after attending a fireworks display. Additional and more significant damage can be prevented by giving your ears a chance to rest and recuperate.
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss typically doesn’t happen all of a sudden. Many individuals won’t detect the symptoms for months or years. Having your hearing checked 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 solutions for any hearing loss you may already have.
You don’t need to resign yourself to having noise-related hearing loss. Prevention strategies can help maintain your hearing. With the correct approach, 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!