From sporting events to family gatherings to fireworks shows to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with fun experiences. And while the majority of these activities are safe, many can present hidden risks to your hearing health. Over time, the loud noises that accompany some of these experiences can cause irreversible hearing damage. A loud motorcycle engine or a roaring crowd could be causing long-term, noise-induced hearing loss.
What is noise-induced hearing loss? This condition occurs when extremely loud noises, over time, cause damage to your hearing. The result of this exposure is loss of hearing. Noise-induced hearing loss is effectively permanent.
There is no cure, though this type of hearing loss can be effectively controlled. Raising your awareness of these common loud noises can help you better control risks and formulate prevention strategies, so you can safeguard your hearing over the long run. You can protect the health of your hearing while still enjoying summer fun by using a few basic adjustments.
Is summer actually that noisy?
It can be really easy to overlook noise hazards during the summer months. Here are a few of the most prevalent and also most dangerous:
- Fireworks events: Many towns have fireworks displays every month or more during the summer. They take place at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. But fireworks shows are easily loud enough to cause irreversible hearing damage.
- Driving: If you’re driving with the windows down, the wind noise can reach harmful volumes in your ears and this is even more relevant if you drive a convertible. And the risk becomes dramatically worse the longer you’re exposed.
- Loud concerts: Even outdoor concerts present considerable hazards to your hearing health. These events are, after all, intended to be really loud.
- 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).
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is a perfect time for home improvement projects. But it’s significant to remember that all of those power tools can be quite noisy. Your hearing health is in increasing risk the more you use these tools.
- Routine lawn care: This category includes chainsaws, weed wackers, leaf blowers, and lawnmowers. These tools have really loud powerful motors. It’s worth pointing out that totally electric motors are usually quieter.
Generally speaking, sounds above 85dB are considered to be harmful. A typical hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is about this volume. These sounds might not seem particularly loud so this is important to note. But the volume of these devices can result in hearing damage over time.
Preventing noise-induced hearing damage
Noise-related hearing loss effects millions of individuals every year. Noise-related hearing loss can happen at any age, unlike age-related hearing loss. That’s why prevention is so essential. Some of the most reliable prevention strategies include the following:
- 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 escalate above that minimum threshold. At these volume levels, even your headphones or earbuds can rapidly begin harming your hearing. You can become more aware of when volume levels start to get too high by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Using disposable earplugs may not be as effective as customized earplugs but, in a pinch, they’re better than no protection at all. An inexpensive pair of disposable earplugs can help prevent significant damage if you find yourself in a loud setting all of a sudden.
- Turn down the volume at home: Simply lowering the volume on your TV and music playing devices can help give your ears some rest and a chance to recuperate. Damage will develop more rapidly if you’re always listening to your devices at a high volume.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really loud, you need to regulate your exposure time. This can help prevent long-term damage to your hearing. If you’re at a noisy sporting event, for instance, go to a quieter spot every thirty minutes or so.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): Spend a quieter next day after attending a fireworks display. Additional and more significant damage can be avoided by giving your ears an opportunity to rest and recuperate.
- Get your hearing checked: Sometimes, hearing loss sneaks up on you quite gradually. Many individuals won’t notice the symptoms for months or years. Often, the only way to determine whether you have any noise-related hearing loss is to have your hearing checked. We’ll be able to discuss how to counter further damage, which treatment solutions may be appropriate, and how to keep your hearing as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
- Wear hearing protection: Keep a set of ear plugs or ear muffs on hand in case you can’t or aren’t willing to avoid specific loud situations. When you’re in settings that are too noisy, 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.
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 strategy.
Start your journey towards better hearing by contacting us for an appointment.