From sporting events to family get-togethers to fireworks displays to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with enjoyable 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 the roar of a crowd could be causing long-term, noise-induced hearing loss.
What is noise-related hearing loss? This condition occurs when excessively loud noises, over time, trigger damage to your hearing. The result of this exposure is loss of hearing. Noise-related hearing loss is effectively irreversible.
There is no cure, though this form of hearing loss can be effectively controlled. Over the long run, you can protect your hearing and prevent damage by being aware of prevalent sources of loud noise and formulating prevention strategies. With a few simple adjustments, you can enjoy your summer fun and safeguard your hearing health.
Is summer actually that noisy?
Summer might be one of those times of year where noise hazards are easiest to miss. Some of the most prevalent hazardously loud noises include the following:
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they are outdoor concerts. These events are, after all, meant to be quite loud.
- Fireworks events: Summer is full of fireworks. They happen at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. Unfortunately, fireworks are incredibly loud and can certainly cause damage to your ears.
- Routine lawn care: This might include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. The powerful motors in most of these mechanical tools are extremely loud. It’s worth pointing out that totally electric motors are often quieter.
- Sporting events: Any time you’re in loud 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).
- Driving: Taking a Sunday drive is incredibly popular, but the wind rushing into your windows (or all around you if you happen to be driving a convertible) can be hard on your ears. And the risk becomes exponentially worse the longer you’re exposed.
- Routine use of power tools: Home improvement projects are ideal activities during the summer. But it’s crucial to remember that all of those power tools can be quite noisy. Your hearing health is in increasing risk the more you use these tools.
In general, sounds above 85dB are considered to be harmful. A typical hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is about this volume. That’s important to note because these sounds might not seem particularly noisy. But the volume of these devices can result in hearing damage over time.
How can I prevent noise-related hearing loss?
Each year, millions of people are impacted by hearing loss. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-related hearing loss can present at any age. That’s why prevention is so important. Here are a few of the most helpful prevention strategies:
- Turn down the volume at home: Your ears can get a rest by simply decreasing the volume on your devices. Damage will develop faster if you’re always listening to your devices at a high volume.
- Give your ears a break (and time to recover): Spend a quieter next day after attending a fireworks display. Additional and more substantial damage can be avoided by giving your ears an opportunity to rest and recuperate.
- Get your hearing checked: In some cases, hearing loss sneaks up on you really gradually. Many individuals won’t detect the symptoms for months or years. Getting your hearing examined can help you identify whether you have noise-related 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.
- Wear hearing protection: If you cannot avoid noisy situations (or don’t want to miss out on particular fun activities), you can get a pair of good ear muffs or ear plugs. Use this hearing protection whenever you need to, when you are in situations that are noisy. This can help you avoid damage. You can be particularly benefited by making use of hearing protection costume designed for you.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really loud, you need to limit your exposure time. This can help protect against long-term damage to your ears. Every thirty minutes or so, when you’re at a noisy sporting event, for instance, go and spend some time in a less noisy spot.
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: 85 dB might not seem like a lot, but you would probably be surprised how fast sounds can increase above that minimum threshold. At these volume levels, even your headphones or earbuds can rapidly begin damaging your ears. You can become more aware of when volume levels start to get too loud by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Disposable earplugs aren’t as reliable as more customized types, but they’re far better than nothing! An inexpensive pair of disposable earplugs can help prevent significant damage if you find yourself in a loud setting all of a sudden.
Noise-induced hearing loss is not unavoidable. You’re hearing can be maintained by utilizing prevention strategies. With the correct approach, you can enjoy all that summer, or any other season, has to offer and safeguard your hearing.
Start your journey towards better hearing by contacting us for an appointment.