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. Over time, the loud noises that come with some of these activities can result in irreversible hearing damage. A loud motorcycle engine or a roaring crowd could be contributing to long-term, noise-related hearing loss.
What is noise-related hearing loss? This condition happens when overly loud noises, over time, trigger damage to your hearing. The result of this exposure is loss of hearing. Noise-related hearing loss is effectively irreversible.
Even though this kind of hearing loss can’t be cured, it can be effectively treated. Over the long run, you can safeguard your hearing and prevent damage by being aware of common sources of loud noise and formulating prevention strategies. You can protect the health of your hearing while still enjoying summer fun by using a few simple adjustments.
Is summer really that noisy?
It can be quite easy to overlook noise hazards during the summer months. Some of the most common dangerously loud noises include the following:
- Loud concerts: Even outside concerts present considerable risks to your hearing health. After all, these events are designed to be as loud as possible.
- Driving: If you’re driving with the windows down, the wind noise can reach damaging 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 durations without breaks.
- Fireworks events: Many places have fireworks displays every month or more during the summer. From neighborhood gatherings to holiday festivities to sporting events, fireworks displays are everywhere during the summer months. But fireworks shows are definitely loud enough to cause irreversible hearing damage.
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is a perfect time for home improvement projects. But power tools, in general, tend to be really loud. The more you utilize these tools, the more your hearing hazard increases.
- Sporting events: Any time you’re around loud 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).
- 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. It’s worth noting that totally electric motors are usually quieter.
Generally speaking, sounds louder than 85dB are considered to be harmful. A typical hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is around this volume. That’s important to take note of because these sounds might not feel particularly noisy. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t cause damage.
Preventing noise-induced hearing damage
Noise-related hearing loss effects millions of individuals every year. Noise-related hearing loss can happen at any age, unlike age-related hearing loss. Prevention is important for this precise reason. Some of the most successful prevention strategies include the following:
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Making use of 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 considerable damage if you find yourself in a loud environment all of a sudden.
- Wear hearing protection: Keep a pair of ear plugs or ear muffs on hand in case you can’t or aren’t willing to avoid certain noisy situations. When you’re in settings that are too loud, use this protection to your advantage. This can help prevent damage. Custom hearing protection devices personalized to your ears and your hearing can be particularly effective.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really loud, you should limit your exposure time. This can help protect against long-term damage to your ears. 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.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): If you went to a loud fireworks show, make sure your next day is a quiet one. Additional and more substantial damage can be avoided by giving your ears a chance to rest and recuperate.
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: You might be surprised at just how rapidly sounds can increase above that 85dB danger zone level. At these volume levels, even your headphones or earbuds can rapidly begin 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.
- Turn down the volume at home: Your ears can get a break by simply lowering the volume on your devices. Damage will develop faster if you’re always listening to your devices at a high volume.
- Get your hearing checked: In some cases, hearing loss creeps up on you really gradually. It could take years to notice in many instances. Having your hearing checked can help you determine whether you have noise-induced hearing loss. We’ll be able to go over 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.
You don’t need to resign yourself to having noise-related hearing loss. You’re hearing can be maintained by using prevention strategies. You can protect your hearing and enjoy fun activities in any season with the correct strategy.
Talking to us can help begin your journey towards healthier ears and better hearing. Call today for an appointment!