From sporting events to family get-togethers to fireworks shows to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with enjoyable activities. And while most of these activities are safe, many can present invisible risks to your hearing health. Over time, the loud noises that come with some of these activities can result in irreversible hearing damage. This hearing damage could be caused by anything from a roaring motorcycle engine to the booms of a fireworks display.
Over time, really loud noises can cause damage to your ears. The result of this exposure is loss of hearing. Noise-induced hearing loss is effectively permanent.
There is no cure, but this type of hearing loss can be effectively managed. Over the long run, you can safeguard your hearing and avoid damage by being aware of common sources of loud noise and formulating prevention strategies. You can protect the health of your hearing while still enjoying summer fun by utilizing a few simple adjustments.
Is summer really that noisy?
Summer might be one of those times of year in which noise hazards are easiest to overlook. Some of the most prevalent hazardously loud noises include the following:
- Routine lawn care: This might include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. The powerful motors in most of these mechanical tools are very loud. It’s worth pointing out that totally electric motors are usually quieter.
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they’re outside concerts. These events are, after all, intended to be really loud.
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is an excellent time for home improvement projects. But it’s significant to remember that all of those power tools can be rather noisy. Your hearing health is in increasing risk the more you utilize these tools.
- Driving: If you’re driving with the windows down, the wind noise can reach damaging volumes in your ears and this is even more relevant if you drive a convertible. This is particularly true if the sound occurs for long durations without breaks.
- Sporting events: Any time you’re around noisy 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).
- Fireworks events: Summer has lots of fireworks. From neighborhood gatherings to holiday celebrations to sporting events, fireworks displays are everywhere during the summer months. Regrettably, fireworks are incredibly loud and can certainly cause damage to your hearing.
Generally speaking, sounds louder than 85dB are considered to be harmful. This is around the volume of a lawnmower, hair dryer, or a typical blender. That’s important to take note of because these sounds may not seem particularly noisy. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t result in damage.
Preventing noise-induced hearing damage
Noise-related hearing loss effects millions of people every year. Noise-related hearing loss can happen at any age, unlike age-related hearing loss. Prevention is significant for this precise reason. Some of the most reliable prevention strategies include the following:
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really loud, you need to limit 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 area every thirty minutes or so.
- Get your hearing checked: Sometimes, hearing loss creeps up on you quite gradually. Many people won’t detect 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 understand how to keep your hearing healthy for years to come and talk about treatment solutions for any hearing loss you may already have.
- Wear hearing protection: Keep a set of ear plugs or ear muffs on hand in case you can’t or are not willing to avoid specific loud situations. Wear this hearing protection whenever you need to, when you are in situations that are loud. This can help you avoid damage. Custom hearing protection devices personalized to your ears and your hearing can be particularly effective.
- 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 recover and avoid further and more significant damage.
- 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 escalate above that minimum threshold. At these volume levels, even your headphones or earbuds can quickly begin damaging 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.
- Turn down the volume at home: Your ears can get a rest by simply turning down the volume on your devices. Damage will advance faster if you’re always listening to your devices at a high volume.
- 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 environment all of a sudden.
You don’t need to resign yourself to having noise-induced hearing loss. You’re hearing can be preserved by using prevention strategies. With the right approach, you can enjoy all that summer, or any other season, has to offer and safeguard your hearing.
Talking to us can help begin your journey towards healthier ears and better hearing. Call today for an appointment!
