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 healthy, many can present invisible risks to your hearing health. That’s because loud noises, over time, can damage 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, extremely loud noises can cause damage to your ears. As a consequence, you experience hearing loss. This kind of hearing loss has no cure.
There is no cure, though this type of hearing loss can be successfully controlled. Raising your awareness of these common loud noises can help you better manage risks and establish 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 simple adjustments.
Is summer really that noisy?
Summer may be one of those times of year where noise risks are easiest to overlook. Some of the most common hazardously loud noises include the following:
- 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 use of power tools: Home improvement projects are ideal activities during the summer. But it’s significant to keep in mind that all of those power tools can be quite noisy. The more you utilize these tools, the more your hearing hazard increases.
- Driving: A Sunday drive is incredibly popular, but the wind rushing into your windows (or all around you if you happen to be driving a convertible) can be hard on your ears. This is particularly true if the sound occurs for long periods without breaks.
- Fireworks events: Summer has lots of fireworks. From neighborhood parties to holiday festivities to sporting events, fireworks shows are everywhere during the summer months. But fireworks shows are easily loud enough to trigger irreversible hearing damage.
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they are outdoor concerts. After all, these events are planned to be as loud as possible.
- Routine lawn care: This may include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. These tools have extremely loud powerful motors. Motors that run on electricity rather than gas are typically much quieter, though.
Generally speaking, sounds louder than 85dB are considered to be harmful. This is about the range of a lawnmower, hair dryer, or a typical blender. That’s significant to note because these sounds may not feel particularly noisy. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t result in damage.
How can I prevent noise-related hearing loss?
Noise-related hearing loss impacts millions of people every year. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-related hearing loss can occur at any age. That’s why prevention is so significant. Here are a few of the most practical prevention strategies:
- 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 start to do damage at these volume levels. You can become more conscious of when volume levels begin to get too high by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- Turn down the volume at home: Simply reducing the volume on your TV and music playing devices can help give your ears some quiet and a chance to recover. When everything is loud all the time, damage can develop much faster.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Utilizing disposable earplugs may not be as effective as customized earplugs but, in a pinch, they’re better than no protection at all. If you find yourself suddenly in a noisy environment, a cheap pair of disposable earplugs can help prevent substantial hearing damage.
- Get your hearing checked: In some cases, hearing loss creeps up on you really gradually. It could take years to notice in many instances. Frequently, the only way to find out whether you have any noise-related hearing loss is to get your hearing examined. We will help you comprehend how to keep your hearing healthy for years to come and discuss treatment solutions for any hearing loss you might already have.
- Wear hearing protection: If you cannot avoid loud situations (or don’t want to miss out on particular enjoyable activities), you can invest in a set of good ear muffs or ear plugs. When you are in locations that are too noisy, use this protection to your advantage. This can help you avoid damage. Custom hearing protection devices tailored to your ears and your hearing can be particularly effective.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really loud, you should regulate your exposure time. This can help prevent long-term damage to your hearing. Every thirty minutes or so, when you’re at a noisy sporting event, for example, go and spend some time in a quieter area.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): Spend a quieter next day after going to a fireworks display. Additional and more significant damage can be avoided by giving your ears an opportunity to rest and recover.
Noise-related hearing loss is not unavoidable. You’re hearing can be maintained by utilizing prevention strategies. You can protect your hearing and enjoy fun activities in any season with the proper approach.
Talking to us can help start your journey towards healthier ears and better hearing. Call today for an appointment!
