From sporting events to family get-togethers to fireworks shows to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with enjoyable activities. The majority of these activities are completely safe and healthy, but there are some that do come with a risk of noise-related hearing loss. That’s because loud noises, over time, can harm your ability to hear. This hearing damage could be due to anything from a roaring motorcycle engine to the booms of a fireworks show.
Over time, really loud noises can trigger damage to your ears. The result of this exposure is loss of hearing. This type of hearing loss has no cure.
Although this type of hearing loss has no cure, it can be effectively managed. Over the long run, you can protect your hearing and avoid damage by being aware of prevalent sources of loud noise and formulating prevention strategies. You can safeguard the health of your hearing while still enjoying summer fun by making use of a few basic adjustments.
Is it actually that loud during the summer?
Summer may be one of those times of year in which noise risks are easiest to miss. Here are a few of the most common and also most dangerous:
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they’re outside concerts. These events are, after all, intended to be really loud.
- 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 especially true if the sound happens for long intervals without breaks.
- Routine lawn care: Included in this category are chainsaws, weed wackers, leaf blowers, and lawnmowers. These tools have really loud powerful motors. Motors that run on electricity rather than gas are usually much quieter, though.
- Sporting events: Crowd noise can harm your hearing, particularly at events such as auto racing or monster truck rallies.
- Fireworks events: Many areas have fireworks displays every month or more during the summer. From neighborhood get-togethers to holiday festivities to sporting events, fireworks displays are everywhere during the summer months. Unfortunately, fireworks are incredibly loud and can definitely cause damage to your hearing.
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is a great time for home improvement projects. But power tools, in general, are often quite loud. Your hearing health is in increasing danger the more you utilize these tools.
Generally speaking, sounds louder than 85dB are considered to be damaging. A typical hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is around this volume. These sounds might not seem especially loud so this is significant to note. But the volume of these devices can cause hearing damage over time.
How can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
Noise-related hearing loss impacts millions of people every year. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-related hearing loss can happen at any age. That’s why prevention is so significant. Some of the most successful prevention strategies include the following:
- Limit your time in noisy environments: The louder the environment, the more you should limit your 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 example, go and spend some time in a less noisy area.
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: 85 dB may not seem like a lot, but you would most likely be surprised how fast sounds can escalate above that minimum threshold. Even your earbuds and headphones can begin to do damage at these volume levels. You can become more aware of when volume levels start to get too high by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- Wear hearing protection: Keep a pair of ear plugs or ear muffs handy in case you can’t or aren’t willing to avoid certain noisy situations. When you are in environments that are too noisy, use this protection to your advantage. Damage can be avoided in this way. You can be particularly benefited by making use of hearing protection costume made for you.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): Spend a quieter next day after going to a fireworks display. Additional and more substantial damage can be prevented by giving your ears an opportunity to rest and recuperate.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Disposable earplugs aren’t as reliable as more customized types, but they’re a lot better than nothing! An inexpensive pair of disposable earplugs can help prevent considerable damage if you find yourself in a noisy setting all of a sudden.
- Turn down the volume at home: Simply lowering the volume on your TV and music playing devices can help give your ears some rest and a chance to recover. Damage will develop more rapidly if you’re always listening to your devices at a loud volume.
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss normally doesn’t develop suddenly. Many people won’t detect the symptoms for months or years. Getting your hearing examined can help you identify whether you have noise-related hearing loss. We’ll be able to talk about how to counter additional damage, which treatment solutions may be appropriate, and how to keep your hearing as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
Noise-induced hearing loss is not unavoidable. Prevention strategies can help maintain your hearing. You can protect 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.