The average summer day is usually filled with fun activities 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 invisible risks to your hearing health. That’s because loud noises, over time, can harm your ability to hear. This hearing damage could be caused by anything from the roar of a motorcycle engine to the booms of a fireworks display.
Over time, very loud noises can cause damage to your ears. As a result, you experience hearing loss. Noise-related hearing loss is effectively permanent.
Even though this kind of hearing loss has no cure, it can be effectively treated. Raising your awareness of these common loud noises can help you better control risks and develop prevention strategies, so you can protect 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?
Summer might be one of those times of year in which noise risks are easiest to miss. Some of the most common dangerously loud noises include the following:
- Driving: If you’re driving with the windows down, the wind noise can reach hazardous volumes in your ears and this is even more pertinent if you drive a convertible. This is particularly true if the sound occurs for long periods without breaks.
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they’re outside concerts. After all, these events are planned to be as loud as possible.
- Routine lawn care: This could include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. The powerful motors in most of these mechanical tools are extremely loud. It’s worth noting that purely electric motors are usually quieter.
- Fireworks events: Summer is full of fireworks. From neighborhood get-togethers to holiday celebrations to sporting events, fireworks displays are everywhere during the summer months. But fireworks shows are definitely loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage.
- Sporting events: Crowd noise can damage your hearing, especially at events such as auto racing or monster truck rallies.
- Routine use of power tools: Home improvement projects are perfect activities during the summer. But it’s crucial to remember that all of those power tools can be rather noisy. The more you use these tools, the more your hearing hazard increases.
In general, sounds above 85dB are considered to be harmful. A typical hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is about this volume. These sounds might not seem particularly loud so this is important to note. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t result in damage.
Preventing noise-induced hearing damage
Noise-induced hearing loss effects millions of people each year. Noise-related hearing loss can occur at any age, unlike age-related hearing loss. That’s why prevention is so important. Some of the most successful prevention strategies include the following:
- Wear hearing protection: Keep a set of ear plugs or ear muffs on hand in case you can’t or aren’t willing to avoid specific noisy situations. When you’re in environments that are too noisy, use this protection to your advantage. Damage can be avoided in this way. You can be especially benefited by using hearing protection costume made for you.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really noisy, you should limit your exposure time. Your ears can be protected from long-term damage in this way. Every thirty minutes or so, when you’re at a loud sporting event, for instance, go and spend some time in a less noisy spot.
- 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 increase above that minimum threshold. At these volume levels, even your headphones or earbuds can quickly start harming your ears. You can become more aware of when volume levels start to get too high by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- 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 develop more rapidly if you’re always listening to your devices at a high volume.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Disposable earplugs aren’t as effective as more customized types, but they’re a lot better than nothing! An inexpensive pair of disposable earplugs can help prevent significant damage if you find yourself in a loud setting all of a sudden.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): Spend a quieter next day after attending a fireworks display. This can give your ears more time to recuperate and avoid further and more substantial damage.
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss normally doesn’t happen suddenly. Many individuals won’t notice the symptoms for months or years. Having your hearing checked can help you identify whether you have noise-related hearing loss. We’ll be able to discuss how to counter additional damage, which treatment options may be appropriate, and how to keep your hearing as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
Noise-related hearing loss isn’t unavoidable. Prevention strategies can help maintain your hearing. With the proper strategy, you can enjoy all that summer, or any other season, has to offer and safeguard your hearing.
Start your journey towards better hearing by giving us a call for an appointment.
