From sporting events to family get-togethers to fireworks displays to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with fun experiences. Most of these activities are perfectly safe and healthy, but there are some that do come with a risk of noise-related hearing loss. That’s because loud noises, over time, can damage your ability to hear. This hearing damage could be the result of anything from the roar of a motorcycle engine to the booms of a fireworks show.
Over time, really loud noises can trigger damage to your ears. As a consequence, you experience hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is irreversible.
Although this type of hearing loss has no cure, it can be successfully treated. Over the long run, you can protect your hearing and avoid damage by being aware of common sources of loud noise and formulating prevention strategies. With a few simple adjustments, you can enjoy your summer fun and protect your hearing health.
Is summer really that noisy?
It can be quite easy to overlook noise risks during the summer months. Some of the most prevalent dangerously loud noises include the following:
- Routine lawn care: This category includes chainsaws, weed wackers, leaf blowers, and lawnmowers. The powerful motors in many of these mechanical tools are extremely loud. Motors that run on electricity rather than gas are usually quite a bit quieter, though.
- Driving: If you’re driving with the windows down, the wind noise can reach damaging volumes in your ears and this is even more relevant if you drive a convertible. This is particularly true if the sound happens for long intervals without breaks.
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is an ideal time for home improvement projects. But power tools, in general, tend to be really loud. Your hearing health is in increasing danger the more you use these tools.
- Sporting events: Any time you’re around loud crowds, you could 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 festivities to sporting events, fireworks shows are everywhere during the summer months. Regrettably, fireworks are extremely loud and can certainly cause damage to your hearing.
- Loud concerts: Even outdoor concerts have significant risks to your hearing health. These events are, after all, meant to be quite loud.
Generally speaking, sounds above 85dB are considered to be harmful. A typical hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is around this volume. These sounds might not seem especially loud so this is important to note. But the volume of these devices can cause hearing damage over time.
How can I prevent noise-related hearing loss?
Noise-induced hearing loss effects millions of individuals every year. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-related hearing loss can occur at any age. Prevention is important for this exact reason. Some of the most effective prevention strategies include the following:
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss usually doesn’t happen all of a sudden. It could take years to notice in many cases. Having your hearing examined can help you identify whether you have noise-related hearing loss. We will help you comprehend how to keep your hearing healthy for years to come and talk about treatment solutions for any hearing loss you might already have.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really loud, you need to regulate 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 noisy sporting event, for example, go and spend some time in a quieter area.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): Spend a quieter next day after going to a fireworks display. Additional and more substantial damage can be prevented by giving your ears an opportunity to rest and recuperate.
- Wear hearing protection: Keep a pair of ear plugs or ear muffs handy in case you can’t or are not willing to avoid specific loud situations. Wear this hearing protection when you need to, when you are in environments that are noisy. Damage can be avoided in this way. You can be particularly benefited by making use of hearing protection costume made for you.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Using disposable earplugs might 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 environment all of a sudden.
- 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. Even your earbuds and headphones can begin to do damage at these volume levels. You can become more aware of when volume levels begin to get too high by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- 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 advance more rapidly if you’re always listening to your devices at a loud volume.
You don’t need to resign yourself to having noise-related hearing loss. Prevention strategies can help maintain your hearing. With the proper approach, you can enjoy all that summer, or any other season, has to offer and safeguard your hearing.
Consulting with us can help begin your journey towards healthier ears and better hearing. Call today for an appointment!