From sporting events to family get-togethers to fireworks shows to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with enjoyable experiences. The majority of these activities are perfectly safe and healthy, but some do come with a risk of noise-related hearing loss. Over time, the loud noises that accompany some of these activities can lead to irreversible hearing damage. A loud motorcycle engine or a roaring crowd could be causing long-term, noise-related hearing loss.
Over time, really loud noises can cause damage to your ears. The result of this exposure is loss of hearing. Noise-induced hearing loss is effectively permanent.
Even though this type of hearing loss can’t be cured, it can be successfully managed. 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. You can protect the health of your hearing while still enjoying summer fun by using a few simple adjustments.
Is summer really that noisy?
It can be really easy to overlook noise hazards during the summer months. Here are some of the most common and also most hazardous:
- Routine lawn care: This could include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. The powerful motors in many of these mechanical tools are extremely loud. It’s worth pointing out that totally electric motors are usually quieter.
- Routine use of power tools: Home improvement projects are ideal activities during the summer. But power tools, in general, are often really loud. The more you utilize these tools, the more your hearing risk increases.
- Fireworks events: Summer has lots of fireworks. From neighborhood get-togethers to holiday festivities to sporting events, fireworks displays are everywhere during the summer months. But fireworks shows are definitely loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage.
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they’re outside concerts. These events are, after all, meant to be really loud.
- Sporting events: Any time you’re in 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).
- Driving: Going for 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 durations without breaks.
In general, sounds louder than 85dB are considered to be harmful. This is about the volume of a lawnmower, hair dryer, or a typical blender. These sounds might not seem especially loud so this is significant to note. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t cause damage.
Preventing noise-related hearing damage
Noise-induced hearing loss impacts millions of people every year. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-related hearing loss can occur at any age. Prevention is important for this precise reason. Some of the most reliable prevention strategies include the following:
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: You might be surprised at just how rapidly sounds can escalate above that 85dB danger zone volume. Even your earbuds and headphones can start to do damage at these volume levels. You can become more aware of when volume levels start to get too loud by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- Wear hearing protection: If you can’t avoid loud environments (or don’t want to miss out on particular fun activities), you can get a pair of good ear muffs or ear plugs. Wear this hearing protection when you need to, when you are in environments that are noisy. Damage can be avoided in this way. Custom hearing protection devices personalized to your ears and your hearing can be especially 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 recover. Damage will advance faster if you’re always listening to your devices at a loud volume.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Disposable earplugs aren’t as reliable as more customized types, but they’re much better than nothing! An inexpensive pair of disposable earplugs can help prevent considerable damage if you find yourself in a noisy setting all of a sudden.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): If you went to a loud fireworks show, make sure your next day is a quiet one. Additional and more significant damage can be avoided by giving your ears a chance to rest and recuperate.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really loud, you need to limit your exposure time. This can help avoid long-term damage to your ears. Every thirty minutes or so, when you’re at a noisy sporting event, for example, go and spend some time in a less noisy area.
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss usually doesn’t develop all of a sudden. Many people won’t detect the symptoms for months or years. Having your hearing checked can help you identify whether you have noise-induced hearing loss. We will help you comprehend how to keep your hearing healthy for years to come and discuss treatment solutions for any hearing loss you may already have.
Noise-induced hearing loss is not inevitable. 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 protect your hearing.
Start your journey towards better hearing by contacting us for an appointment.