From sporting events to family get-togethers to fireworks displays to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with enjoyable activities. The majority of these activities are perfectly 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 damage your ability to hear. This hearing damage could be the result of anything from the roar of a motorcycle engine to the booms of a fireworks show.
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 type of hearing loss can be effectively controlled. Over the long run, you can safeguard your hearing and avoid damage by being aware of common sources of loud noise and developing prevention strategies. With a few basic adjustments, you can enjoy your summer fun and safeguard your hearing health.
Is it really that loud during the summer?
It can be really easy to miss noise risks during the summer months. Some of the most common hazardously loud noises include the following:
- Driving: Taking a Sunday drive is incredibly popular, but the wind rushing through 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 durations without breaks.
- Routine lawn care: This category includes chainsaws, weed wackers, leaf blowers, and lawnmowers. These tools have really loud powerful motors. Motors that run on electricity instead of gas are usually much quieter, though.
- Sporting events: Crowd noise can harm your hearing, especially at events such as auto racing or monster truck rallies.
- Loud concerts: Even outdoor concerts have significant hazards to your hearing health. These events are, after all, meant to be really loud.
- Routine use of power tools: Home improvement projects are great activities during the summer. But it’s crucial to remember that all of those power tools can be really noisy. Your hearing health is in increasing danger the more you utilize these tools.
- Fireworks events: Many towns have fireworks displays every month or more during the summer. They occur at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. But fireworks shows are easily loud enough to trigger irreversible hearing damage.
The volume level that’s considered to be where damage starts to happen is about 85 dB. A typical hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is around this volume. That’s important to be aware of because these sounds may not seem particularly noisy. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t result in damage.
How can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
Each year, millions of people are affected by hearing loss. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-induced hearing loss can happen at any age. That’s why prevention is so important. Here are some of the most practical prevention strategies:
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: You may be surprised at just how rapidly sounds can escalate above that 85dB danger zone level. At these volume levels, even your headphones or earbuds can quickly begin harming your hearing. You can become more conscious of when volume levels start to get too loud by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really loud, you need to regulate your exposure time. Your ears can be safeguarded from long-term damage in this way. Every thirty minutes or so, when you’re at a noisy sporting event, for example, go and spend some time in a quieter spot.
- Get your hearing checked: Sometimes, hearing loss sneaks up on you very slowly. It could take years to notice in many circumstances. Often, the only way to find out whether you have any noise-related hearing loss is to have 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 may already have.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Using disposable earplugs might not be as reliable 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 setting all of a sudden.
- Turn down the volume at home: Simply turning down the volume on your TV and music playing devices can help give your ears some quiet and a chance to recover. Damage will advance faster if you’re always listening to your devices at a high volume.
- 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 recuperate and prevent further and more substantial damage.
- 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 loud situations. Wear this hearing protection whenever you need to, when you are in situations that are noisy. This can help prevent damage. You can be particularly benefited by making use of hearing protection costume made for you.
You don’t need to resign yourself to having noise-related hearing loss. You’re hearing can be maintained by utilizing prevention strategies. With the correct strategy, you can enjoy all that summer, or any other season, has to offer and protect your hearing.
Start your journey towards better hearing by contacting us for an appointment.