The average summer day is usually filled with fun experiences and happenings, from motorcycle rides to family reunions to fireworks to sporting events. 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. A loud motorcycle engine or a roaring crowd could be contributing to long-term, noise-induced hearing loss.
What is noise-related hearing loss? This condition occurs when excessively loud noises, over time, cause damage to your hearing. As a result, you experience hearing loss. This kind of hearing loss is irreversible.
There is no cure, though this form of hearing loss can be effectively managed. Raising your awareness of these prevalent loud noises can help you better control risks and establish prevention strategies, so you can protect your hearing over the long run. With a few basic adjustments, you can enjoy your summer fun and safeguard your hearing health.
Is it actually that loud during the summer?
It can be quite easy to overlook noise hazards during the summer months. Some of the most prevalent dangerously loud noises include the following:
- Fireworks events: Many towns have fireworks displays every month or more during the summer. They happen at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. Unfortunately, fireworks are extremely loud and can definitely cause damage to your hearing.
- Routine lawn care: Included in this category are chainsaws, weed wackers, leaf blowers, and lawnmowers. These tools have extremely loud powerful motors. Motors that run on electricity instead of gas are typically much quieter, though.
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is an excellent time for home improvement projects. But power tools, in general, are typically quite loud. The more you use these tools, the more your hearing hazard increases.
- Sporting events: Crowd noise can damage your hearing, especially at events like auto racing or monster truck rallies.
- 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.
- Driving: Going for a Sunday drive is incredibly popular, but the wind rushing into your windows (or all around you if you’re driving a convertible) can be tough on your ears. And the risk becomes dramatically worse the longer you are exposed.
The volume level that’s regarded as where damage begins to happen is about 85 dB. The average hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is about this volume. That’s significant to be aware of because these sounds may not seem particularly noisy. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t cause damage.
How can I prevent noise-related hearing loss?
Every year, millions of individuals are affected by hearing loss. Noise-related hearing loss can occur at any age, unlike age-related hearing loss. Prevention is significant for this precise reason. Here are some of the most helpful prevention strategies:
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Utilizing disposable earplugs may 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 significant damage if you find yourself in a noisy environment all of a sudden.
- Wear hearing protection: If you cannot avoid noisy situations (or don’t want to miss out on certain enjoyable activities), you can invest in a pair of good ear muffs or ear plugs. 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.
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss normally doesn’t develop suddenly. Many individuals won’t detect the symptoms for months or years. Getting your hearing checked can help you identify whether you have noise-induced hearing loss. We’ll be able to talk about how to avoid further damage, which treatment options may be appropriate, and how to keep your hearing as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): Spend a quieter next day after attending a fireworks display. Additional and more substantial damage can be prevented by giving your ears a chance to rest and recuperate.
- Turn down the volume at home: Simply turning down 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 develop more quickly.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really noisy, you should regulate your exposure time. This can help prevent long-term damage to your hearing. If you’re at a noisy sporting event, for example, walk to a quieter spot every thirty minutes or so.
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: 85 dB might not seem like a lot, but you would probably be surprised how fast sounds can escalate above that minimum threshold. Even your earbuds and headphones can begin to do damage at these volume levels. You can become more conscious of when volume levels begin to get too loud by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
Noise-related hearing loss is not inevitable. Prevention strategies can help preserve your hearing. With the right approach, you can enjoy all that summer, or any other season, has to offer and protect your hearing.
Consulting with us can help start your journey towards healthier ears and better hearing. Call today for an appointment!