The average summer day is usually filled with fun activities and happenings, from motorcycle rides to family outings to fireworks to sporting events. The majority of these activities are perfectly safe and healthy, but some do come with a risk of noise-related hearing loss. Over time, the loud noises that come with some of these activities can cause irreversible hearing damage. A loud motorcycle engine or a roaring crowd could be causing long-term, noise-related hearing loss.
Over time, really loud noises can trigger damage to your ears. As a consequence, you experience hearing loss. This type of hearing loss has no cure.
There is no cure, though this form of hearing loss can be successfully controlled. Increasing your awareness of these common loud noises can help you better manage 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 making use of a few basic adjustments.
Is it actually that loud during the summer?
It can be quite easy to overlook noise risks during the summer months. Some of the most prevalent hazardously loud noises include the following:
- Routine lawn care: Included in this category are chainsaws, weed wackers, leaf blowers, and lawnmowers. These tools have extremely loud powerful motors. It’s worth pointing out that totally electric motors are often quieter.
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is an ideal time for home improvement projects. But it’s significant to keep in mind that all of those power tools can be rather noisy. Your hearing health is in increasing risk the more you utilize these tools.
- Fireworks events: Many towns have fireworks displays every month or more during the summer. From neighborhood gatherings to holiday festivities to sporting events, fireworks displays are everywhere during the summer months. Regrettably, fireworks are extremely loud and can definitely cause damage to your ears.
- Sporting events: Any time you’re around loud crowds, you may 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: Going for 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 especially true if the sound occurs for long durations without breaks.
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they are outdoor concerts. After all, these events are planned to be as loud as possible.
The volume level that’s regarded as where damage starts to happen is around 85 dB. A typical hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is about this volume. That’s important to take note of because these sounds might not feel particularly noisy. But the volume of these devices can cause hearing damage over time.
Preventing noise-related hearing damage
Every 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 essential. Here are a few of the most practical prevention strategies:
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: You might be surprised at just how rapidly sounds can increase above that 85dB danger zone level. Even your earbuds and headphones can begin to do damage at these volume levels. There are many dependable apps available for smartphones that can help you track ambient noise levels, so you can be more mindful of when your surroundings become dangerous to your hearing.
- 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 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 limit your time. This can help protect against long-term damage to your ears. Every thirty minutes or so, when you’re at a loud sporting event, for instance, go and spend some time in a quieter spot.
- Turn down the volume at home: Your ears can get a break by simply lowering the volume on your devices. Damage will advance more rapidly if you’re always listening to your devices at a loud volume.
- 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 recuperate and prevent further and more substantial damage.
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss typically doesn’t develop suddenly. Many people won’t notice the symptoms for months or years. Frequently, the only way to determine whether you have any noise-induced hearing loss is to get your hearing examined. We’ll be able to talk about how to avoid further damage, which treatment solutions may be appropriate, and how to keep your hearing as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
- Wear hearing protection: Keep a pair of ear plugs or ear muffs handy in case you can’t or are not willing to avoid certain noisy situations. Wear this hearing protection when you need to, when you are in environments that are loud. This can help you avoid damage. Custom hearing protection devices personalized to your ears and your hearing can be particularly effective.
You don’t need to resign yourself to having noise-related hearing loss. You’re hearing can be preserved by using prevention strategies. With the right strategy, you can enjoy all that summer, or any other season, has to offer and protect your hearing.
Begin your journey towards better hearing by contacting us for an appointment.
