The average summer day is likely filled with fun activities and happenings, from motorcycle rides to family reunions to fireworks to sporting events. Most 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, trigger damage to your hearing. The result of this exposure is loss of hearing. Noise-induced hearing loss is effectively permanent.
There is no cure, but this form of hearing loss can be successfully controlled. Increasing your awareness of these common loud noises can help you better control 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 very easy to overlook noise risks during the summer months. Here are some of the most common and also most harmful:
- Sporting events: Any time you’re around noisy crowds, you may increase your risk of noise damage (this can be even more prevalent at sporting events that feature motorized attractions, including a Nascar race or monster truck rally).
- Fireworks events: Summer has lots of fireworks. From neighborhood parties to holiday celebrations to sporting events, fireworks displays are everywhere during the summer months. Unfortunately, fireworks are extremely loud and can certainly cause damage to your ears.
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they’re outdoor concerts. These events are, after all, intended to be really loud.
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is a perfect time for home improvement projects. But power tools, in general, are typically really loud. The more you use these tools, the more your hearing hazard increases.
- Routine lawn care: Included in this category are chainsaws, weed wackers, leaf blowers, and lawnmowers. The powerful motors in many of these mechanical tools are incredibly loud. It’s worth pointing out that totally electric motors are usually quieter.
- Driving: Going for 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 tough on your ears. This is especially true if the sound happens for long durations without breaks.
In general, sounds louder than 85dB are considered to be harmful. The average hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is about this volume. That’s important to be aware of because these sounds might not feel particularly noisy. But the volume of these devices can result in hearing damage over time.
How can I prevent noise-related hearing loss?
Each year, millions of individuals are impacted by hearing loss. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-related hearing loss can occur at any age. Prevention is important for this precise reason. Some of the most reliable prevention strategies include the following:
- Wear hearing protection: If you cannot avoid noisy environments (or don’t want to miss out on particular enjoyable activities), you can get a pair of quality ear muffs or ear plugs. When you’re in locations that are too loud, use this protection to your advantage. This can help you avoid damage. You can be especially benefited by making use of hearing protection costume made for you.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: The louder the environment, the more you should regulate your time. Your ears can be safeguarded from long-term damage in this way. If you’re at a loud sporting event, for instance, walk to a quieter spot every thirty minutes or so.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Making use of disposable earplugs might not be as reliable as customized earplugs but, in a pinch, they’re better than no protection at all. An inexpensive pair of disposable earplugs can help prevent considerable damage if you find yourself in a loud environment all of a sudden.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): Spend a quieter next day after going to a fireworks display. This can give your ears more time to recover and avoid further and more substantial damage.
- Get your hearing checked: Sometimes, hearing loss creeps up on you quite slowly. Many people won’t detect the symptoms for months or years. Having your hearing examined can help you determine whether you have noise-related hearing loss. We’ll be able to talk about how to prevent further damage, which treatment solutions might be appropriate, and how to keep your hearing as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
- 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. 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 loud 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 rest and a chance to recuperate. When everything is loud all the time, damage can develop much faster.
Noise-induced hearing loss is not inevitable. You’re hearing can be maintained by utilizing prevention strategies. You can safeguard your hearing and enjoy fun activities in any season with the right strategy.
Begin your journey towards better hearing by giving us a call for an appointment.