From sporting events to family gatherings to fireworks shows to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with fun experiences. And while the majority of these activities are healthy, many can present invisible risks to your hearing health. Over time, the loud noises that accompany some of these experiences can lead to irreversible hearing damage. This hearing damage could be due to anything from a roaring motorcycle engine to the booms of a fireworks show.
What is noise-induced hearing loss? This condition happens when excessively loud noises, over time, trigger damage to your hearing. As a result, you experience hearing loss. This kind of hearing loss is irreversible.
Even though this kind of hearing loss can’t be cured, it can be effectively treated. Over the long run, you can safeguard your hearing and prevent damage by being aware of common sources of loud noise and developing prevention strategies. You can protect the health of your hearing while still enjoying summer fun by using a few simple adjustments.
Is summer actually that noisy?
Summer might be one of those times of year where noise risks are easiest to overlook. Here are some of the most prevalent and also most harmful:
- Routine lawn care: This may include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. The powerful motors in many of these mechanical tools are very loud. Motors that run on electricity instead of gas are normally quite a bit quieter, though.
- Routine use of power tools: Home improvement projects are perfect activities during the summer. But it’s important to remember that all of those power tools can be quite noisy. The more you use these tools, the more your hearing risk increases.
- Loud concerts: Even outdoor concerts present significant hazards to your hearing health. These events are, after all, meant to be quite loud.
- Fireworks events: Summer has lots of fireworks. They occur at holiday celebrations, sporting events, and impromptu neighborhood gatherings. Regrettably, fireworks are incredibly loud and can definitely cause damage to your ears.
- Driving: Taking a Sunday drive is incredibly popular, but the wind rushing into your windows (or all around you if you’re driving a convertible) can be tough on your ears. This is particularly true if the sound happens for long periods without breaks.
- Sporting events: Crowd noise can harm your hearing, particularly at events like auto racing or monster truck rallies.
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 take note of because these sounds may 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?
Noise-induced hearing loss impacts millions of individuals every year. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-induced hearing loss can present at any age. Prevention is important for this exact reason. Some of the most effective prevention strategies include the following:
- Turn down the volume at home: Simply turning down the volume on your TV and music playing devices can help give your ears some quiet and a chance to recuperate. Damage will develop 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 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.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: The more noisy the environment, the more you should regulate your time. Your ears can be protected from long-term damage in this way. Every thirty minutes or so, when you’re at a loud sporting event, for instance, go and spend some time in a less noisy spot.
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss normally doesn’t happen suddenly. Many people won’t detect the symptoms for months or years. Frequently, the only way to find out whether you have any noise-induced hearing loss is to have your hearing examined. We’ll be able to go over how to counter additional damage, which treatment solutions may be appropriate, and how to keep your hearing as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
- 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. Additional and more substantial damage can be prevented by giving your ears an opportunity to rest and recover.
- Wear hearing protection: If you cannot avoid loud environments (or don’t want to miss out on certain enjoyable activities), you can get a pair of quality ear muffs or ear plugs. When you are in settings that are too loud, use this protection to your advantage. This can help you avoid damage. You can be especially benefited by utilizing hearing protection costume made for you.
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: You may be surprised at just how rapidly sounds can increase above that 85dB danger zone level. Even your earbuds and headphones can start to do damage at these volume levels. You can become more conscious of when volume levels start to get too high by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
Noise-related hearing loss is not inevitable. Prevention strategies can help preserve your hearing. You can safeguard your hearing and enjoy fun activities in any season with the right approach.
Talking to us can help begin your journey towards healthier ears and better hearing. Call today for an appointment!
