From sporting events to family gatherings to fireworks shows to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with fun activities. 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 caused by anything from a roaring motorcycle engine to the booms of a fireworks display.
Over time, extremely loud noises can cause damage to your ears. As a result, you experience hearing loss. Noise-related hearing loss is effectively irreversible.
Even though this type of hearing loss can’t be cured, it can be effectively managed. Increasing your awareness of these common loud noises can help you better manage risks and establish prevention strategies, so you can protect your hearing over the long run. You can protect the health of your hearing while still enjoying summer fun by making use of a few simple adjustments.
Is it really that loud during the summer?
It can be really easy to overlook noise risks during the summer months. Some of the most common dangerously loud noises include the following:
- Sporting events: Any time you’re in 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).
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they are outdoor concerts. These events are, after all, meant to be really loud.
- Routine lawn care: Included in this category are chainsaws, weed wackers, leaf blowers, and lawnmowers. These tools have extremely loud powerful motors. Motors that run on electricity instead of gas are usually quite a bit quieter, though.
- Fireworks events: Many areas have fireworks displays every month or more during the summer. From neighborhood get-togethers to holiday celebrations to sporting events, fireworks shows are everywhere during the summer months. But fireworks shows are definitely loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage.
- Routine use of power tools: Home improvement projects are perfect activities during the summer. But power tools, in general, are typically quite loud. The more you utilize these tools, the more your hearing hazard increases.
- Driving: A Sunday drive is very popular, but the wind rushing through your windows (or all around you if you’re driving a convertible) can be hard on your ears. And the risk becomes exponentially worse the longer you’re exposed.
The volume level that’s considered to be where damage begins to happen is around 85 dB. A typical hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is around this volume. That’s significant to note because these sounds might not feel particularly noisy. But the volume of these devices can result in hearing damage over time.
Preventing noise-related hearing damage
Every year, millions of individuals are impacted by hearing loss. Noise-related hearing loss can occur at any age, unlike age-related hearing loss. Prevention is significant for this precise reason. Some of the most successful prevention strategies include the following:
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): Spend a quieter next day after attending a fireworks display. This can give your ears more time to recover and prevent further and more significant damage.
- Turn down the volume at home: Simply lowering the volume on your TV and music playing devices can help give your ears some quiet and a chance to recover. When everything is loud all the time, damage can advance much faster.
- Wear hearing protection: Keep a pair of ear plugs or ear muffs on hand 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. This can help prevent damage. You can be particularly benefited by utilizing hearing protection costume designed for you.
- 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. At these volume levels, even your headphones or earbuds can rapidly begin harming your hearing. You can become more aware of when volume levels start to get too high by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Utilizing disposable earplugs might not be as reliable as customized earplugs but, in a pinch, they’re better than no protection at all. If you find yourself suddenly in a noisy environment, a cheap set of disposable earplugs can help prevent significant hearing damage.
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss typically doesn’t happen all of a sudden. Many people won’t notice the symptoms for months or years. Having your hearing examined can help you identify whether you have noise-related hearing loss. We’ll be able to go over how to avoid further damage, which treatment solutions might be appropriate, and how to keep your hearing as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: The more noisy the environment, the more you should limit your time. This can help avoid long-term damage to your ears. If you’re at a noisy sporting event, for instance, walk to a quieter spot every thirty minutes or so.
Noise-related hearing loss isn’t inevitable. Prevention strategies can help maintain your hearing. With the correct strategy, you can enjoy all that summer, or any other season, has to offer and safeguard your hearing.
Begin your journey towards better hearing by contacting us for an appointment.
