The typical summer day is usually 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. Over time, the loud noises that accompany some of these activities can cause irreversible hearing damage. This hearing damage could be due to anything from a roaring motorcycle engine to the booms of a fireworks show.
Over time, extremely loud noises can trigger damage to your ears. The result of this exposure is loss of hearing. Noise-induced hearing loss is effectively permanent.
Although this type of hearing loss can’t be cured, it can be effectively treated. Increasing your awareness of these prevalent loud noises can help you better control risks and develop prevention strategies, so you can safeguard your hearing over the long run. You can safeguard the health of your hearing while still enjoying summer fun by using a few basic adjustments.
Is summer actually that noisy?
It can be really easy to overlook noise hazards during the summer months. Some of the most common dangerously loud noises include the following:
- Routine lawn care: This may include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. The powerful motors in most of these mechanical tools are extremely loud. Motors that run on electricity rather than gas are normally quite a bit quieter, though.
- Loud concerts: Even outdoor concerts present considerable risks to your hearing health. After all, these events are planned to be as loud as possible.
- Fireworks events: Summer is full of fireworks. From neighborhood parties to holiday celebrations to sporting events, fireworks displays are everywhere during the summer months. But fireworks shows are definitely loud enough to trigger permanent hearing damage.
- Sporting events: Any time you’re in noisy crowds, you could increase your risk of noise damage (this can be even more relevant at sporting events that feature motorized attractions, including a Nascar race or monster truck rally).
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is a perfect time for home improvement projects. But it’s important to keep in mind that all of those power tools can be rather noisy. Your hearing health is in increasing danger the more you use these tools.
- Driving: A Sunday drive is incredibly popular, but the wind rushing through your windows (or all around you if you’re driving a convertible) can be tough on your ears. And the risk becomes dramatically worse the longer you’re exposed.
Generally speaking, sounds above 85dB are considered to be harmful. This is about the volume of a lawnmower, hair dryer, or a typical blender. That’s important to be aware of because these sounds might not seem particularly noisy. But the volume of these devices can result in hearing damage over time.
Preventing noise-induced hearing damage
Noise-induced hearing loss effects millions of people each year. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-induced hearing loss can happen at any age. Prevention is important for this exact reason. Here are some of the most practical prevention strategies:
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really loud, you need to 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, go to a quieter spot every thirty minutes or so.
- Wear hearing protection: If you cannot avoid loud environments (or don’t want to miss out on certain fun activities), you can get a pair of quality ear muffs or ear plugs. Wear this hearing protection when you need to, when you are in situations that are noisy. Damage can be avoided in this way. Custom hearing protection devices personalized to your ears and your hearing can be particularly effective.
- 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. 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 rest and a chance to recuperate. Damage will advance faster if you’re always listening to your devices at a high volume.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Disposable earplugs aren’t as effective as more customized types, but they’re much better than nothing! If you find yourself suddenly in a loud environment, a cheap pair of disposable earplugs can help prevent substantial hearing damage.
- Get your hearing checked: Sometimes, hearing loss creeps up on you really slowly. It could take years to notice in many instances. Often, the only way to determine whether you have any noise-related hearing loss is to have your hearing checked. We’ll be able to discuss how to counter further 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: 85 dB might not seem like a lot, but you would most likely be surprised how fast sounds can increase above that minimum threshold. Even your earbuds and headphones can start to do damage at these volume levels. There are many 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.
Noise-induced hearing loss is not unavoidable. You’re hearing can be maintained by making use of prevention strategies. With the correct 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.