From sporting events to family gatherings to fireworks displays to motorcycle rides, summer is filled with enjoyable activities. And while most of these activities are healthy, many can present hidden risks to your hearing health. Over time, the loud noises that come with some of these activities can lead to irreversible hearing damage. This hearing damage could be the result of anything from a roaring motorcycle engine to the booms of a fireworks display.
Over time, very loud noises can cause damage to your ears. The consequence of this exposure is loss of hearing. Noise-induced hearing loss is effectively irreversible.
There is no cure, but this type of hearing loss can be successfully controlled. Over the long run, you can protect your hearing and avoid damage by being aware of prevalent sources of loud noise and developing 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 in which noise hazards are easiest to miss. Here are a few of the most prevalent and also most harmful:
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they are outdoor concerts. After all, these events are designed to be as loud as possible.
- Fireworks events: Many towns have fireworks displays monthly or more during the summer. From neighborhood parties to holiday festivities to sporting events, fireworks shows are everywhere during the summer months. But fireworks shows are easily loud enough to cause irreversible hearing damage.
- Driving: Taking a Sunday drive is very popular, but the wind rushing into your windows (or all around you if you’re driving a convertible) can be hard on your ears. This is particularly true if the sound occurs for long periods without breaks.
- Routine lawn care: This might include using lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and weed wackers. These tools have extremely loud powerful motors. Motors that run on electricity instead of gas are typically much quieter, though.
- Sporting events: Crowd noise can harm your hearing, particularly at events like auto racing or monster truck rallies.
- Routine use of power tools: Home improvement projects are great activities during the summer. But power tools, in general, are often quite loud. The more you use these tools, the more your hearing hazard increases.
The volume level that’s considered to be where damage starts to happen is around 85 dB. This is about the volume of a lawnmower, hair dryer, or a typical blender. That’s important to note because these sounds may not seem particularly noisy. But the volume of these devices can cause hearing damage over time.
Preventing noise-related hearing damage
Noise-induced hearing loss impacts millions of individuals every year. Noise-induced hearing loss can happen at any age, unlike age-related hearing loss. Prevention is important for this precise reason. Some of the most effective prevention strategies include the following:
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: 85 dB may not seem like a lot, but you would probably 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. You can become more conscious of when volume levels begin to get too loud by downloading a volume monitoring app for your cellphone.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: If your environment is really noisy, you should regulate your exposure time. This can help avoid long-term damage to your hearing. If you’re at a loud sporting event, for instance, go to a quieter spot every thirty minutes or so.
- Turn down the volume at home: Simply reducing the volume on your TV and music playing devices can help give your ears some quiet and a chance to recover. When everything is loud all the time, damage can advance more quickly.
- Get your hearing checked: In some cases, hearing loss sneaks up on you quite gradually. 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 prevent further 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): Spend a quieter next day after attending a fireworks display. Additional and more significant damage can be avoided by giving your ears a chance to rest and recover.
- Wear hearing protection: If you cannot avoid noisy environments (or don’t want to miss out on particular enjoyable activities), you can invest in a pair of good ear muffs or ear plugs. When you are in environments that are too loud, use this protection to your advantage. This can help prevent damage. You can be particularly benefited by utilizing hearing protection costume designed for you.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Using 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 significant damage if you find yourself in a loud setting all of a sudden.
Noise-related hearing loss isn’t unavoidable. Prevention strategies can help maintain your hearing. You can protect your hearing and enjoy fun activities in any season with the proper strategy.
Consulting with us can help begin your journey towards healthier ears and better hearing. Call today for an appointment!