From sporting events to family get-togethers to fireworks displays to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with fun activities. And while most of these activities are safe, many can present hidden risks to your hearing health. That’s because loud noises, over time, can harm your ability to hear. A loud motorcycle engine or the roar of a crowd could be contributing to long-term, noise-related hearing loss.
What is noise-related hearing loss? This condition occurs when extremely loud noises, over time, cause damage to your hearing. The consequence of this exposure is loss of hearing. This type of hearing loss is irreversible.
Even though this type of hearing loss has no cure, it can be effectively managed. Over the long run, you can safeguard your hearing and prevent 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 might be one of those times of year where noise risks are easiest to miss. Here are some of the most prevalent and also most dangerous:
- Sporting events: Crowd noise can harm your hearing, especially at events like auto racing or monster truck rallies.
- Driving: Going for a Sunday drive is very 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 especially true if the sound happens for long durations without breaks.
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they’re outside concerts. These events are, after all, intended to be really loud.
- 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 pointing out that purely electric motors are usually quieter.
- Fireworks events: Summer is full of fireworks. They take place at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. But fireworks shows are definitely loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage.
- Routine use of power tools: Home improvement projects are ideal activities during the summer. But power tools, in general, tend to be quite loud. Your hearing health is in increasing risk the more you utilize these tools.
Generally speaking, sounds louder than 85dB are considered to be damaging. A typical hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is around this volume. That’s important to be aware of because these sounds may not feel particularly noisy. But the volume of these devices can result in hearing damage over time.
Preventing noise-induced hearing damage
Noise-related hearing loss impacts millions of people every year. Noise-induced hearing loss can happen at any age, unlike age-related hearing loss. That’s why prevention is so important. Some of the most reliable prevention strategies include the following:
- 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 a chance to rest and recover.
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: You may be surprised at just how fast sounds can escalate above that 85dB danger zone volume. Even your earbuds and headphones can begin 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 mindful of when your surroundings become dangerous to your hearing.
- 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 set of disposable earplugs can help prevent significant damage if you find yourself in a noisy setting all of a sudden.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: The louder the environment, the more you should limit your time. Your ears can be protected from long-term damage in this way. If you’re at a loud sporting event, for example, go to a quieter spot every thirty minutes or so.
- Turn down the volume at home: Simply reducing 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.
- Wear hearing protection: Keep a pair of ear plugs or ear muffs handy in case you can’t or aren’t willing to avoid specific loud situations. When you’re in locations 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 made for you.
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss typically doesn’t happen all of a sudden. Many individuals won’t detect the symptoms for months or years. Frequently, the only way to find out whether you have any noise-induced hearing loss is to have your hearing checked. We’ll be able to discuss how to prevent further damage, which treatment options might be appropriate, and how to keep your hearing as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
Noise-induced hearing loss is not unavoidable. You’re hearing can be preserved by using prevention strategies. With the proper strategy, you can enjoy all that summer, or any other season, has to offer and protect your hearing.
Talking to us can help start your journey towards healthier ears and better hearing. Call today for an appointment!
