The typical summer day is likely filled with fun experiences and happenings, from motorcycle rides to family outings to fireworks to sporting events. And while the majority of these activities are healthy, many can present invisible risks to your hearing health. That’s because loud noises, over time, can damage your ability to hear. This hearing damage could be the result of anything from the roar of a motorcycle engine to the booms of a fireworks show.
What is noise-related hearing loss? This condition happens when overly loud noises, over time, cause damage to your hearing. The consequence of this exposure is loss of hearing. This type of hearing loss has no cure.
There is no cure, though this form of hearing loss can be effectively managed. Increasing your awareness of these prevalent loud noises can help you better manage risks and formulate prevention strategies, so you can protect your hearing over the long run. With a few simple adjustments, you can enjoy your summer fun and safeguard your hearing health.
Is summer actually that noisy?
Summer might be one of those times of year in which noise risks are easiest to miss. Some of the most common hazardously loud noises include the following:
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is an ideal time for home improvement projects. But power tools, in general, are typically really loud. Your hearing health is in increasing danger the more you use these tools.
- Driving: 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: Any time you’re in noisy crowds, you could increase your risk of noise damage (this can be even more prevalent at sporting events that feature motorized attractions, such as a Nascar race or monster truck rally).
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they are outdoor concerts. These events are, after all, intended to be quite loud.
- 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 definitely cause damage to your ears.
- Routine lawn care: This could include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. These tools have very loud powerful motors. Motors that run on electricity rather than gas are normally quite a bit quieter, though.
The volume level that’s regarded as where damage begins to occur is around 85 dB. This is around the range of a lawnmower, hair dryer, or a typical blender. 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-related hearing damage
Every year, millions of people are impacted by hearing loss. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-induced hearing loss can present at any age. Prevention is significant for this precise reason. Here are some of the most helpful prevention strategies:
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Disposable earplugs aren’t as reliable as more customized types, but they’re far better than nothing! If you find yourself abruptly in a noisy environment, a cheap set of disposable earplugs can help prevent significant hearing damage.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): If you attended 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.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really loud, you need to regulate your exposure time. This can help avoid long-term damage to your ears. Every thirty minutes or so, when you’re at a loud sporting event, for example, go and spend some time in a quieter area.
- 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 increase above that minimum threshold. At these volume levels, even your headphones or earbuds can quickly begin harming your hearing. There are many reliable apps available for smartphones that can help you monitor ambient noise levels, so you can be more mindful of when your surroundings become dangerous to your hearing.
- Turn down the volume at home: Simply lowering the volume on your TV and music playing devices can help give your ears some quiet and a chance to recover. Damage will advance faster if you’re always listening to your devices at a loud volume.
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss typically doesn’t happen suddenly. It could take years to detect in many circumstances. Getting your hearing checked can help you identify whether you have noise-related hearing loss. 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.
- Wear hearing protection: If you cannot avoid loud environments (or don’t want to miss out on certain fun activities), you can invest in a pair of good ear muffs or ear plugs. When you are in environments that are too noisy, use this protection to your advantage. This can help prevent damage. Custom hearing protection devices tailored to your ears and your hearing can be especially effective.
You don’t need to resign yourself to getting noise-related hearing loss. You’re hearing can be maintained by using prevention strategies. You can safeguard your hearing and enjoy fun activities in any season with the correct strategy.
Talking to us can help start your journey towards healthier ears and better hearing. Call today for an appointment!
