The typical summer day is usually filled with fun activities and happenings, from motorcycle rides to family outings 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 damage your ability to hear. A loud motorcycle engine or the roar of a crowd could be causing long-term, noise-induced hearing loss.
Over time, really loud noises can cause damage to your ears. The consequence of this exposure is loss of hearing. Noise-induced hearing loss is effectively irreversible.
There is no cure, but this form of hearing loss can be effectively managed. Increasing your awareness of these common loud noises can help you better control risks and develop prevention strategies, so you can safeguard your hearing over the long run. You can safeguard the health of your hearing while still enjoying summer fun by using a few basic adjustments.
Is it really that loud during the summer?
Summer might be one of those times of year where noise risks are easiest to overlook. Some of the most prevalent hazardously loud noises include the following:
- Fireworks events: Many places have fireworks displays monthly or more during the summer. They occur at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. But fireworks shows are definitely loud enough to trigger irreversible hearing damage.
- Routine use of power tools: Home improvement projects are great activities during the summer. But power tools, in general, are often really loud. Your hearing health is in increasing risk the more you utilize these tools.
- Routine lawn care: Included in this category are chainsaws, weed wackers, leaf blowers, and lawnmowers. The powerful motors in many of these mechanical tools are very loud. Motors that run on electricity instead of gas are usually much quieter, though.
- Driving: Taking a Sunday drive is incredibly popular, but the wind rushing through your windows (or all around you if you’re driving a convertible) can be hard on your ears. And the risk becomes exponentially worse the longer you’re exposed.
- Sporting events: Crowd noise can damage your hearing, particularly at events such as auto racing or monster truck rallies.
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they are outside concerts. After all, these events are designed to be as loud as possible.
The volume level that’s regarded as where damage starts to occur is about 85 dB. A typical hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is about this volume. That’s significant to note because these sounds might not seem particularly noisy. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t result in damage.
How can I prevent noise-related hearing loss?
Every year, millions of individuals are impacted by hearing loss. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-related hearing loss can present at any age. Prevention is important for this precise reason. Here are a few of the most helpful prevention strategies:
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Disposable earplugs aren’t as effective 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.
- Turn down the volume at home: Your ears can get a rest by simply decreasing the volume on your devices. When everything is loud all the time, damage can progress much faster.
- 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 prevent further and more substantial damage.
- Wear hearing protection: Keep a set of ear plugs or ear muffs handy in case you can’t or are not willing to avoid specific loud situations. When you’re in locations that are too loud, 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.
- 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. At these volume levels, even your headphones or earbuds can rapidly start damaging your ears. You can become more conscious of when volume levels begin to get too loud by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really noisy, you need to regulate your exposure time. This can help prevent 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 spot.
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss usually doesn’t happen all of a sudden. 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 talk about how to prevent further damage, which treatment solutions might be appropriate, and how to keep your hearing as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
Noise-induced hearing loss is not unavoidable. You’re hearing can be preserved by using prevention strategies. You can safeguard your hearing and enjoy fun activities in any season with the proper approach.
Begin your journey towards better hearing by giving us a call for an appointment.
