The average summer day is likely filled with fun experiences and happenings, from motorcycle rides to family reunions to fireworks to sporting events. And while most of these activities are healthy, many can present hidden risks to your hearing health. That’s because loud noises, over time, can damage your ability to hear. A loud motorcycle engine or a roaring crowd could be contributing to long-term, noise-induced hearing loss.
What is noise-related hearing loss? This condition occurs when extremely loud noises, over time, trigger damage to your hearing. As a result, you experience hearing loss. This kind of hearing loss is irreversible.
Even though this kind of hearing loss has no cure, it can be effectively treated. Over the long run, you can safeguard your hearing and avoid damage by being aware of prevalent sources of loud noise and developing prevention strategies. You can protect the health of your hearing while still enjoying summer fun by making use of a few basic adjustments.
Is it really that loud during the summer?
Summer may be one of those times of year where noise risks are easiest to overlook. Some of the most prevalent dangerously loud noises include the following:
- Fireworks events: Summer is full of fireworks. They happen at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. Unfortunately, fireworks are extremely loud and can certainly cause damage to your ears.
- Routine lawn care: This may include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. The powerful motors in many of these mechanical tools are very loud. Motors that run on electricity instead of gas are usually much quieter, though.
- Driving: 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. And the risk becomes dramatically worse the longer you’re exposed.
- Sporting events: Any time you’re in loud crowds, you could increase your risk of noise damage (this can be even more relevant at sporting events that feature motorized attractions, including a Nascar race or monster truck rally).
- Routine use of power tools: Home improvement projects are perfect activities during the summer. But power tools, in general, tend to be really loud. Your hearing health is in increasing risk the more you utilize these tools.
- Loud concerts: Even outside concerts present considerable risks to your hearing health. These events are, after all, meant to be really loud.
The volume level that’s regarded as where damage starts to happen is around 85 dB. This is about the volume of a lawnmower, hair dryer, or a typical blender. These sounds may not seem especially loud so this is significant to note. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t cause damage.
How can I prevent noise-related hearing loss?
Every year, millions of people are impacted by hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss can happen at any age, unlike age-related hearing loss. That’s why prevention is so significant. Here are a few of the most helpful prevention strategies:
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss typically doesn’t happen suddenly. Many individuals won’t notice the symptoms for months or years. Often, the only way to determine whether you have any noise-induced hearing loss is to have your hearing examined. We’ll be able to talk about how to prevent further damage, which treatment options may be appropriate, and how to keep your hearing as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
- 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 recover.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Disposable earplugs aren’t as effective as more customized types, but they’re much better than nothing! If you find yourself suddenly in a noisy environment, a cheap set of disposable earplugs can help prevent significant hearing damage.
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: You might be surprised at just how quickly sounds can increase above that 85dB danger zone volume. Even your earbuds and headphones can start to do damage at these volume levels. There are numerous reliable apps available for smartphones that can help you monitor ambient noise levels, so you can be more aware of when your surroundings become harmful to your hearing.
- Turn down the volume at home: Your ears can get a break by simply lowering the volume on your devices. When everything is loud all the time, damage can develop much faster.
- Wear hearing protection: Keep a set of ear plugs or ear muffs handy in case you can’t or are not willing to avoid certain noisy situations. When you are in environments that are too loud, use this protection to your advantage. Damage can be avoided in this way. You can be especially benefited by making use of hearing protection costume designed for you.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really noisy, you need to limit your exposure 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 instance, go and spend some time in a quieter area.
Noise-related hearing loss isn’t inevitable. You’re hearing can be preserved by making use of prevention strategies. With the proper approach, you can enjoy all that summer, or any other season, has to offer and safeguard your hearing.
Talking to us can help start your journey towards healthier ears and better hearing. Call today for an appointment!