From sporting events to family get-togethers to fireworks displays to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with fun activities. Most of these activities are completely safe and healthy, but some do come with a risk of noise-related hearing loss. Over time, the loud noises that come with some of these activities can cause irreversible hearing damage. A loud motorcycle engine or the roar of a crowd could be contributing to long-term, noise-induced hearing loss.
Over time, extremely loud noises can cause damage to your ears. As a consequence, you experience hearing loss. Noise-related hearing loss is effectively irreversible.
There is no cure, but this form of hearing loss can be effectively managed. Increasing 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. You can protect the health of your hearing while still enjoying summer fun by making use of a few basic adjustments.
Is summer really that noisy?
It can be quite easy to miss noise hazards during the summer months. Here are a few of the most common and also most harmful:
- Sporting events: Crowd noise can harm your hearing, particularly at events such as auto racing or monster truck rallies.
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they’re 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. The powerful motors in most of these mechanical tools are very loud. It’s worth pointing out that totally electric motors are usually quieter.
- Fireworks events: Many towns have fireworks displays monthly or more during the summer. They happen at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. But fireworks shows are easily loud enough to cause irreversible hearing damage.
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is an ideal time for home improvement projects. But power tools, in general, tend to be really loud. Your hearing health is in increasing danger the more you use these tools.
- Driving: Going for a Sunday drive is incredibly popular, but the wind rushing into your windows (or all around you if you’re driving a convertible) can be tough on your ears. And the risk becomes exponentially worse the longer you are exposed.
The volume level that’s regarded as where damage starts to happen is about 85 dB. The average hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is about this volume. That’s important to note because these sounds may not feel particularly noisy. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t cause damage.
Preventing noise-induced hearing damage
Every year, millions of individuals are affected by hearing loss. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-induced hearing loss can happen at any age. Prevention is significant for this precise reason. Here are some of the most helpful prevention strategies:
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really noisy, you should regulate your exposure time. This can help protect against long-term damage to your hearing. If you’re at a loud sporting event, for example, walk to a quieter spot every thirty minutes or so.
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss usually doesn’t happen suddenly. Many individuals won’t detect the symptoms for months or years. Getting your hearing checked can help you determine whether you have noise-induced hearing loss. We will help you understand how to keep your hearing healthy for years to come and talk about treatment options for any hearing loss you might already have.
- 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 specific noisy situations. Wear this hearing protection when you need to, when you are in environments that are noisy. This can help prevent damage. You can be particularly benefited by using hearing protection costume designed for you.
- Turn down the volume at home: Your ears can get a rest by simply turning down the volume on your devices. When everything is loud all the time, damage can develop much faster.
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: 85 dB may not seem like a lot, but you would probably be surprised how fast sounds can increase above that minimum threshold. At these volume levels, even your headphones or earbuds can rapidly start harming your hearing. You can become more aware of when volume levels begin to get too loud by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): Spend a quieter next day after attending a fireworks display. Additional and more substantial damage can be prevented by giving your ears a chance to rest and recuperate.
- 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! An inexpensive pair of disposable earplugs can help prevent significant damage if you find yourself in a noisy setting all of a sudden.
You don’t need to resign yourself to getting noise-induced hearing loss. 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.
Consulting with us can help start your journey towards healthier ears and better hearing. Call today for an appointment!
