The typical summer day is likely filled with fun experiences and happenings, from motorcycle rides to family reunions to fireworks to sporting events. The majority of these activities are completely safe and healthy, but some do come with a risk of noise-related hearing loss. 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.
What is noise-induced hearing loss? This condition occurs when overly loud noises, over time, cause damage to your hearing. The consequence of this exposure is loss of hearing. Noise-induced hearing loss is effectively permanent.
Although this kind of hearing loss can’t be cured, it can be successfully managed. Raising your awareness of these prevalent loud noises can help you better manage risks and establish prevention strategies, so you can protect your hearing over the long run. With a few basic adjustments, you can enjoy your summer fun and safeguard your hearing health.
Is it actually that loud during the summer?
It can be quite easy to overlook noise hazards during the summer months. Here are a few of the most prevalent and also most dangerous:
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is an ideal time for home improvement projects. But it’s important to keep in mind that all of those power tools can be really noisy. Your hearing health is in increasing danger the more you use these tools.
- Fireworks events: Many areas have fireworks displays monthly or more during the summer. They occur at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. Unfortunately, fireworks are extremely loud and can definitely cause damage to your ears.
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they are outdoor concerts. 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 hazardous volumes in your ears and this is even more relevant if you drive a convertible. This is especially true if the sound occurs for long durations without breaks.
- Sporting events: Any time you’re around noisy crowds, you may increase your risk of noise damage (this can be even more relevant 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 most of these mechanical tools are very loud. It’s worth noting that entirely electric motors are usually quieter.
In general, sounds above 85dB are considered to be harmful. The average hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is about this volume. That’s significant to take note of because these sounds might not seem particularly noisy. But the volume of these devices can result in hearing damage over time.
How can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
Each year, millions of people are affected by hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss can occur at any age, unlike age-related hearing loss. That’s why prevention is so significant. Some of the most reliable prevention strategies include the following:
- Get your hearing checked: In some cases, hearing loss creeps up on you very gradually. It could take years to notice in many circumstances. Frequently, the only way to find out whether you have any noise-induced hearing loss is to get your hearing checked. We’ll be able to go over how to counter further damage, which treatment solutions might be appropriate, and how to keep your hearing as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
- 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 loud situations. When you’re in environments that are too loud, use this protection to your advantage. This can help prevent damage. You can be particularly benefited by making use of hearing protection costume designed for you.
- Turn down the volume at home: Simply reducing the volume on your TV and music playing devices can help give your ears some rest and a chance to recuperate. When everything is loud all the time, damage can develop 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 recover and avoid further and more substantial damage.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really loud, you should regulate your exposure time. Your ears can be protected from long-term damage in this way. If you’re at a noisy sporting event, for example, walk to a quieter area every thirty minutes or so.
- 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! If you find yourself suddenly in a loud environment, a cheap pair of disposable earplugs can help prevent significant hearing damage.
- 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. Even your earbuds and headphones can begin to do damage at these volume levels. There are numerous reliable apps available for smartphones that can help you track ambient noise levels, so you can be more aware of when your surroundings become dangerous to your hearing.
You don’t need to resign yourself to having noise-induced hearing loss. You’re hearing can be preserved by making use of prevention strategies. With the proper strategy, you can enjoy all that summer, or any other season, has to offer and safeguard your hearing.
Begin your journey towards better hearing by contacting us for an appointment.