The typical summer day is likely filled with fun experiences and happenings, from motorcycle rides to family reunions to fireworks to sporting events. The majority of these activities are completely 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 due to anything from the roar of a motorcycle engine to the booms of a fireworks show.
Over time, extremely loud noises can cause damage to your ears. As a result, you experience hearing loss. This kind of hearing loss is irreversible.
There is no cure, though this form of hearing loss can be successfully 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 utilizing a few simple adjustments.
Is summer really that noisy?
Summer may be one of those times of year in which noise hazards are easiest to miss. Here are a few of the most prevalent and also most hazardous:
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is an ideal time for home improvement projects. But it’s crucial to keep in mind that all of those power tools can be quite noisy. Your hearing health is in increasing danger the more you use these tools.
- Sporting events: Any time you’re around loud crowds, you may increase your risk of noise damage (this can be even more prevalent at sporting events that feature motorized attractions, such as a Nascar race or monster truck rally).
- Routine lawn care: This may include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. The powerful motors in many of these mechanical tools are very loud. It’s worth noting that totally electric motors are often quieter.
- Driving: Taking a Sunday drive is very popular, but the wind rushing into your windows (or all around you if you’re driving a convertible) can be hard on your ears. This is particularly true if the sound occurs for long intervals without breaks.
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they’re outside concerts. After all, these events are planned to be as loud as possible.
- Fireworks events: Many places have fireworks displays monthly or more during the summer. They take place at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. Unfortunately, fireworks are extremely loud and can certainly cause damage to your ears.
The volume level that’s considered to be where damage begins to happen is about 85 dB. A typical hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is about this volume. These sounds may not seem particularly loud so this is important to note. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t result in damage.
Preventing noise-related hearing damage
Every year, millions of individuals are impacted by hearing loss. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-related hearing loss can happen at any age. Prevention is important for this exact reason. Here are a few of the most practical prevention strategies:
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): If you attended a loud fireworks show, make sure your next day is a quiet one. This can give your ears more time to recover and prevent further and more substantial damage.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Making use of disposable earplugs may not be as reliable as customized earplugs but, in a pinch, they’re better than no protection at all. If you find yourself abruptly in a noisy environment, a cheap set of disposable earplugs can help prevent significant hearing damage.
- Wear hearing protection: If you can’t avoid loud environments (or don’t want to miss out on certain fun activities), you can get a pair of good ear muffs or ear plugs. When you’re in environments that are too loud, 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.
- Turn down the volume at home: Your ears can get a rest by simply reducing the volume on your devices. Damage will develop faster if you’re always listening to your devices at a loud volume.
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss usually doesn’t develop all of a sudden. Many individuals won’t notice the symptoms for months or years. Often, the only way to find out whether you have any noise-related hearing loss is to have your hearing checked. We’ll be able to talk about how to counter additional damage, which treatment solutions 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 fast sounds can escalate above that 85dB danger zone level. At these volume levels, even your headphones or earbuds can rapidly start harming your hearing. You can become more conscious of when volume levels begin to get too loud by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: The louder the environment, the more you should limit your time. Your ears can be safeguarded from long-term damage in this way. If you’re at a noisy sporting event, for instance, go to a quieter area every thirty minutes or so.
You don’t need to resign yourself to getting noise-related hearing loss. You’re hearing can be maintained by making use of prevention strategies. You can safeguard your hearing and enjoy fun activities in any season with the correct strategy.
Start your journey towards better hearing by contacting us for an appointment.