From sporting events to family gatherings to fireworks shows to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with enjoyable experiences. The majority of these activities are perfectly safe and healthy, but some 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 a roaring crowd could be causing long-term, noise-related hearing loss.
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 form of hearing loss can be successfully controlled. Increasing your awareness of these common loud noises can help you better control risks and establish prevention strategies, so you can safeguard your hearing over the long run. With a few simple adjustments, you can enjoy your summer fun and protect your hearing health.
Is it really that loud during the summer?
It can be really easy to overlook noise hazards during the summer months. Some of the most common dangerously loud noises include the following:
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is a perfect time for home improvement projects. But power tools, in general, are typically really loud. Your hearing health is in increasing danger the more you utilize these tools.
- Sporting events: Any time you’re in noisy crowds, you may 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).
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they are outside concerts. After all, these events are planned to be as loud as possible.
- Fireworks events: Many places have fireworks displays monthly or more during the summer. From neighborhood parties to holiday festivities to sporting events, fireworks displays are everywhere during the summer months. But fireworks shows are definitely loud enough to trigger permanent hearing damage.
- Driving: Taking a Sunday drive is very popular, but the wind rushing into your windows (or all around you if you’re driving a convertible) can be tough on your ears. This is particularly true if the sound occurs for long intervals without breaks.
- Routine lawn care: This might include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. These tools have very loud powerful motors. It’s worth pointing out that purely electric motors are usually quieter.
The volume level that’s considered to be where damage starts to happen is about 85 dB. This is about the volume of a lawnmower, hair dryer, or a typical blender. These sounds may not seem especially loud so this is important to note. But the volume of these devices can cause hearing damage over time.
How can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
Each year, millions of people are impacted by hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss can happen at any age, unlike age-related hearing loss. That’s why prevention is so essential. Here are a few of the most helpful prevention strategies:
- Turn down the volume at home: Your ears can get a break by simply decreasing the volume on your devices. When everything is loud all the time, damage can develop much faster.
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss normally doesn’t develop all of a sudden. Many people won’t detect the symptoms for months or years. Getting your hearing checked can help you identify whether you have noise-related hearing loss. We will help you comprehend how to keep your hearing healthy for years to come and discuss treatment options for any hearing loss you might already have.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Disposable earplugs aren’t as reliable as more customized types, but they’re much better than nothing! An inexpensive set of disposable earplugs can help prevent significant damage if you find yourself in a loud setting all of a sudden.
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: You may 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 damaging your ears. You can become more conscious of when volume levels start to get too high by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- 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 noisy situations. Wear 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 making use of hearing protection costume made for you.
- 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 prevent further and more significant damage.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: The louder the environment, the more you should regulate your time. This can help avoid long-term damage to your ears. If you’re at a loud sporting event, for instance, go to a quieter spot every thirty minutes or so.
You don’t need to resign yourself to getting noise-induced 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 protect your hearing.
Begin your journey towards better hearing by giving us a call for an appointment.