From sporting events to family gatherings to fireworks displays to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with fun experiences. 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 damage your ability to hear. A loud motorcycle engine or a roaring crowd could be contributing to long-term, noise-related hearing loss.
What is noise-induced hearing loss? This condition happens when excessively loud noises, over time, trigger damage to your hearing. The consequence of this exposure is loss of hearing. This kind of hearing loss has no cure.
There is no cure, though this type of hearing loss can be effectively controlled. Raising your awareness of these common loud noises can help you better control risks and develop prevention strategies, so you can safeguard your hearing over the long run. With a few simple adjustments, you can enjoy your summer fun and safeguard your hearing health.
Is it really that loud during the summer?
It can be very easy to overlook noise hazards during the summer months. Here are some of the most prevalent and also most dangerous:
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is a great time for home improvement projects. But it’s significant to keep in mind that all of those power tools can be quite noisy. The more you utilize these tools, the more your hearing risk increases.
- Routine lawn care: This may include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. The powerful motors in many of these mechanical tools are extremely loud. Motors that run on electricity instead of gas are normally much quieter, though.
- Fireworks events: Many places have fireworks displays every month or more during the summer. From neighborhood get-togethers to holiday festivities to sporting events, fireworks shows are everywhere during the summer months. Unfortunately, fireworks are incredibly loud and can definitely cause damage to your ears.
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they’re outside concerts. These events are, after all, meant to be quite loud.
- Sporting events: Any time you’re in noisy crowds, you could 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: A Sunday drive is incredibly 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 particularly true if the sound happens for long periods without breaks.
The volume level that’s considered to be where damage begins to occur is about 85 dB. This is around the range of a lawnmower, hair dryer, or a typical blender. 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-induced hearing loss impacts millions of people every year. Noise-related hearing loss can happen at any age, unlike age-related hearing loss. That’s why prevention is so essential. Here are a few of the most practical prevention strategies:
- Turn down the volume at home: Your ears can get a break by simply decreasing the volume on your devices. Damage will advance more rapidly if you’re always listening to your devices at a loud volume.
- Get your hearing checked: Sometimes, hearing loss creeps up on you quite slowly. It could take years to detect in many instances. Often, the only way to determine whether you have any noise-induced hearing loss is to have your hearing checked. We will help you comprehend how to keep your hearing healthy for years to come and discuss treatment options for any hearing loss you may already have.
- 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. At these volume levels, even your headphones or earbuds can quickly begin harming your ears. You can become more conscious of when volume levels start to get too loud by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really noisy, you need to regulate your exposure time. Your ears can be protected from long-term damage in this way. If you’re at a loud sporting event, for example, walk to a quieter spot every thirty minutes or so.
- Wear hearing protection: If you can’t avoid noisy 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. Use this hearing protection when you need to, when you are in situations that are loud. Damage can be avoided in this way. You can be especially benefited by using hearing protection costume designed for you.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Disposable earplugs aren’t as reliable as more customized types, but they’re a lot better than nothing! If you find yourself suddenly in a noisy environment, a cheap set of disposable earplugs can help prevent substantial hearing damage.
- 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 recuperate.
Noise-induced hearing loss isn’t inevitable. Prevention strategies can help maintain your hearing. With the right strategy, you can enjoy all that summer, or any other season, has to offer and safeguard your hearing.
Consulting with us can help start your journey towards healthier ears and better hearing. Call today for an appointment!
