From sporting events to family gatherings to fireworks displays to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with fun activities. And while most of these activities are safe, many can present invisible risks to your hearing health. Over time, the loud noises that accompany some of these experiences can result in irreversible hearing damage. A loud motorcycle engine or a roaring crowd could be causing long-term, noise-induced hearing loss.
Over time, extremely loud noises can cause damage to your ears. The result of this exposure is loss of hearing. This kind of hearing loss has no cure.
Even though this type of hearing loss has no cure, it can be successfully treated. Over the long run, you can protect your hearing and prevent damage by being aware of common sources of loud noise and developing prevention strategies. With a few simple adjustments, you can enjoy your summer fun and protect your hearing health.
Is it really that loud during the summer?
Summer may be one of those times of year where noise risks are easiest to miss. Some of the most prevalent hazardously loud noises include the following:
- Fireworks events: Summer is full of fireworks. From neighborhood gatherings to holiday celebrations to sporting events, fireworks displays are everywhere during the summer months. Regrettably, fireworks are extremely loud and can certainly cause damage to your hearing.
- Routine lawn care: This may include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. These tools have extremely loud powerful motors. It’s worth pointing out that purely electric motors are usually quieter.
- Routine use of power tools: Summer is an excellent time for home improvement projects. But it’s crucial to remember that all of those power tools can be rather noisy. Your hearing health is in increasing risk the more you use these tools.
- Sporting events: Any time you’re around 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: If you’re driving with the windows down, the wind noise can reach damaging volumes in your ears and this is even more pertinent if you drive a convertible. This is particularly true if the sound occurs for long durations without breaks.
- Loud concerts: Even outside concerts present substantial risks to your hearing health. These events are, after all, meant to be really loud.
Generally speaking, sounds above 85dB are considered to be harmful. A typical hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is about this volume. These sounds may not seem particularly loud so this is significant to note. But that doesn’t mean that such volumes won’t result in damage.
How can I prevent noise-induced hearing loss?
Noise-related hearing loss effects millions of individuals every year. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-induced hearing loss can happen at any age. Prevention is significant for this precise reason. Some of the most reliable prevention strategies include the following:
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Utilizing disposable earplugs might not be as effective as customized earplugs but, in a pinch, they’re better than no protection at all. An inexpensive set of disposable earplugs can help prevent considerable damage if you find yourself in a loud setting all of a sudden.
- 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 escalate above that minimum threshold. Even your earbuds and headphones can begin to do damage at these volume levels. There are numerous reliable apps available for smartphones that can help you monitor ambient noise levels, so you can be more mindful of when your surroundings become dangerous to your hearing.
- 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 substantial damage.
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss normally doesn’t develop suddenly. It could take years to notice in many instances. Frequently, the only way to determine whether you have any noise-induced hearing loss is to get your hearing checked. We’ll be able to discuss how to avoid further damage, which treatment options might be appropriate, and how to keep your hearing as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
- 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 more rapidly if you’re always listening to your devices at a high volume.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: The more noisy the environment, the more you should limit your time. This can help prevent long-term damage to your ears. If you’re at a noisy sporting event, for example, walk to a quieter spot every thirty minutes or so.
- 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 certain loud situations. When you are in settings that are too loud, use this protection to your advantage. Damage can be avoided in this way. You can be particularly benefited by utilizing hearing protection costume designed for you.
Noise-induced hearing loss is not 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.
Start your journey towards better hearing by contacting us for an appointment.