From sporting events to family get-togethers to fireworks displays to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with enjoyable activities. And while most of these activities are healthy, many can present invisible risks to your hearing health. Over time, the loud noises that come with some of these activities can cause permanent hearing damage. A loud motorcycle engine or a roaring crowd could be causing long-term, noise-induced hearing loss.
Over time, very loud noises can cause damage to your ears. As a consequence, you experience hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss is effectively permanent.
Although this kind of hearing loss has no cure, it can be successfully managed. Raising your awareness of these common loud noises can help you better manage risks and establish prevention strategies, so you can safeguard your hearing over the long run. With a few simple adjustments, you can enjoy your summer fun and safeguard your hearing health.
Is it actually that loud during the summer?
It can be really easy to overlook noise hazards during the summer months. Some of the most prevalent hazardously loud noises include the following:
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is a perfect time for home improvement projects. But power tools, in general, tend to be quite loud. The more you use these tools, the more your hearing risk increases.
- Routine lawn care: This might include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. The powerful motors in most of these mechanical tools are very loud. It’s worth noting that entirely electric motors are often quieter.
- Fireworks events: Summer has lots of fireworks. They take place at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. Unfortunately, fireworks are incredibly loud and can certainly cause damage to your ears.
- Sporting events: Crowd noise can damage your hearing, particularly at events like auto racing or monster truck rallies.
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they are outside concerts. These events are, after all, intended to be quite loud.
- Driving: If you’re driving with the windows down, the wind noise can reach hazardous volumes in your ears and this is even more significant if you drive a convertible. This is especially true if the sound occurs for long intervals without breaks.
Generally speaking, sounds above 85dB are considered to be harmful. This is about the volume of a lawnmower, hair dryer, or a typical blender. That’s significant to take note of because these sounds might not seem particularly noisy. But the volume of these devices can result in hearing damage over time.
Preventing noise-induced hearing damage
Noise-induced hearing loss effects millions of individuals every year. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-related hearing loss can happen at any age. Prevention is important for this precise reason. Here are a few of the most practical prevention strategies:
- 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 certain noisy situations. When you are in locations that are too noisy, use this protection to your advantage. This can help you avoid damage. Custom hearing protection devices personalized to your ears and your hearing can be particularly effective.
- Turn down the volume at home: Simply turning down 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 more quickly.
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss typically doesn’t develop all of a sudden. It could take years to notice in many circumstances. Getting your hearing checked can help you identify whether you have noise-induced hearing loss. We’ll be able to talk about how to avoid further damage, which treatment solutions might be appropriate, and how to keep your hearing as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: The more noisy the environment, the more you should limit your 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.
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: You might be surprised at just how quickly sounds can escalate above that 85dB danger zone level. At these volume levels, even your headphones or earbuds can rapidly begin harming your ears. There are numerous dependable apps available for smartphones that can help you monitor ambient noise levels, so you can be more aware of when your surroundings become dangerous to your hearing.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Using disposable earplugs may 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 noisy environment all of a sudden.
- 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 prevented by giving your ears a chance to rest and recover.
Noise-induced hearing loss isn’t unavoidable. Prevention strategies can help maintain your hearing. You can safeguard your hearing and enjoy fun activities in any season with the right strategy.
Talking to us can help begin your journey towards healthier ears and better hearing. Call today for an appointment!