From sporting events to family get-togethers to fireworks shows to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with enjoyable activities. The majority 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 harm your ability to hear. A loud motorcycle engine or the roar of a crowd could be contributing to long-term, noise-related hearing loss.
What is noise-related hearing loss? This condition occurs when extremely loud noises, over time, cause damage to your hearing. As a consequence, you experience hearing loss. This type of hearing loss has no cure.
There is no cure, but this type of hearing loss can be successfully managed. Increasing your awareness of these common loud noises can help you better manage risks and formulate prevention strategies, so you can safeguard your hearing over the long run. You can safeguard the health of your hearing while still enjoying summer fun by utilizing a few simple adjustments.
Is summer actually that noisy?
Summer might be one of those times of year where noise risks are easiest to miss. Here are some of the most common and also most dangerous:
- Driving: If you’re driving with the windows down, the wind noise can reach harmful volumes in your ears and this is even more relevant if you drive a convertible. And the risk becomes dramatically worse the longer you are exposed.
- Routine use of power tools: Home improvement projects are great activities during the summer. But power tools, in general, are often quite loud. The more you utilize these tools, the more your hearing hazard increases.
- Fireworks events: Many towns have fireworks displays every month or more during the summer. From neighborhood gatherings to holiday festivities to sporting events, fireworks displays are everywhere during the summer months. But fireworks shows are easily loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage.
- Routine lawn care: This might include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. These tools have really loud powerful motors. Motors that run on electricity rather than gas are usually much quieter, though.
- Sporting events: Crowd noise can harm your hearing, especially at events such as auto racing or monster truck rallies.
- Loud concerts: Even outside concerts present significant hazards 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 starts to happen is around 85 dB. A typical hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is around this volume. These sounds may not seem especially loud so this is significant to note. But the volume of these devices can result in hearing damage over time.
Preventing noise-induced hearing damage
Noise-related hearing loss effects millions of individuals every year. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-related hearing loss can occur at any age. Prevention is important for this precise reason. Some of the most reliable prevention strategies include the following:
- 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 begin harming your ears. You can become more aware of when volume levels start to get too loud by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- Wear hearing protection: If you cannot avoid loud 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 environments that are loud. Damage can be avoided in this way. You can be particularly benefited by making use of hearing protection costume made for you.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): Spend a quieter next day after going to a fireworks display. Additional and more substantial damage can be prevented by giving your ears a chance to rest and recuperate.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really loud, you should regulate your exposure time. Your ears can be protected from long-term damage in this way. If you’re at a loud sporting event, for instance, go to a quieter spot every thirty minutes or so.
- 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. When everything is loud all the time, damage can advance more quickly.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Using disposable earplugs might not be as effective 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 loud setting all of a sudden.
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss normally doesn’t happen suddenly. Many people won’t notice the symptoms for months or years. Frequently, the only way to determine whether you have any noise-related hearing loss is to have your hearing checked. We will help you understand how to keep your hearing healthy for years to come and discuss treatment solutions for any hearing loss you may already have.
You don’t need to resign yourself to having noise-related hearing loss. You’re hearing can be maintained by utilizing prevention strategies. With the right approach, you can enjoy all that summer, or any other season, has to offer and protect your hearing.
Talking to us can help start your journey towards healthier ears and better hearing. Call today for an appointment!