From sporting events to family gatherings to fireworks displays to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with enjoyable experiences. And while the majority of these activities are healthy, many can present invisible risks to your hearing health. That’s because loud noises, over time, can damage your ability to hear. A loud motorcycle engine or the roar of a crowd could be contributing to 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. As a consequence, you experience hearing loss. Noise-related hearing loss is effectively irreversible.
There is no cure, but this type of hearing loss can be successfully controlled. Over the long run, you can safeguard your hearing and prevent damage by being aware of prevalent sources of loud noise and formulating 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:
- Loud concerts: Even outside concerts present considerable risks to your hearing health. After all, these events are planned to be as loud as possible.
- Routine lawn care: This could include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. These tools have really loud powerful motors. Motors that run on electricity instead of gas are normally quite a bit quieter, though.
- Fireworks events: Summer is full of fireworks. They happen at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. But fireworks shows are easily loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage.
- Sporting events: Any time you’re around loud crowds, you may increase your risk of noise damage (this can be even more relevant at sporting events that feature motorized attractions, such as a Nascar race or monster truck rally).
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is a perfect time for home improvement projects. But power tools, in general, are often really loud. The more you utilize these tools, the more your hearing hazard increases.
- Driving: Going for a Sunday drive is incredibly popular, but the wind rushing into your windows (or all around you if you’re driving a convertible) can be tough on your ears. And the risk becomes exponentially worse the longer you’re exposed.
In general, sounds above 85dB are considered to be harmful. This is about the range of a lawnmower, hair dryer, or a typical blender. These sounds may not seem particularly loud so this is important to note. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t cause damage.
Preventing noise-induced hearing damage
Every year, millions of people are affected by hearing loss. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-related hearing loss can occur at any age. That’s why prevention is so essential. Here are some of the most practical prevention strategies:
- Get your hearing checked: In some cases, hearing loss creeps up on you very slowly. Many individuals won’t notice the symptoms for months or years. Having your hearing examined can help you identify whether you have noise-induced hearing loss. We’ll be able to go over how to counter additional damage, which treatment options may be appropriate, and how to keep your hearing as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: You might be surprised at just how rapidly sounds can increase above that 85dB danger zone level. 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: 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.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really noisy, you should limit your exposure time. Your ears can be safeguarded from long-term damage in this way. If you’re at a loud sporting event, for example, walk to a quieter area every thirty minutes or so.
- 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 pair of disposable earplugs can help prevent significant damage if you find yourself in a noisy setting all of a sudden.
- Wear hearing protection: If you can’t avoid loud situations (or don’t want to miss out on particular fun activities), you can invest in a set of quality ear muffs or ear plugs. Wear this hearing protection whenever you need to, when you are in situations that are noisy. This can help prevent damage. You can be particularly benefited by making use of hearing protection costume designed for you.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): If you went to a loud fireworks display, make sure your next day is a quiet one. Additional and more substantial damage can be prevented by giving your ears an opportunity to rest and recover.
Noise-related hearing loss isn’t inevitable. Prevention strategies can help maintain your hearing. With the proper strategy, you can enjoy all that summer, or any other season, has to offer and protect your hearing.
Start your journey towards better hearing by contacting us for an appointment.
