The average summer day is usually filled with fun activities and happenings, from motorcycle rides to family outings to fireworks to sporting events. And while the majority of these activities are safe, many can present hidden risks to your hearing health. Over time, the loud noises that accompany some of these experiences can lead to permanent hearing damage. This hearing damage could be the result of anything from a roaring motorcycle engine to the booms of a fireworks display.
What is noise-induced hearing loss? This condition happens when extremely loud noises, over time, cause damage to your hearing. As a result, 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. Over the long run, you can protect your hearing and avoid damage by being aware of common sources of loud noise and developing prevention strategies. You can safeguard the health of your hearing while still enjoying summer fun by utilizing a few basic adjustments.
Is summer actually that noisy?
It can be really easy to miss noise hazards during the summer months. Some of the most common dangerously loud noises include the following:
- Sporting events: Crowd noise can damage your hearing, particularly at events such as auto racing or monster truck rallies.
- Routine use of power tools: Home improvement projects are perfect activities during the summer. But it’s significant to keep in mind that all of those power tools can be rather noisy. The more you use these tools, the more your hearing hazard increases.
- Loud concerts: Concerts put your hearing at risk even if they’re outside concerts. After all, these events are designed to be as loud as possible.
- Routine lawn care: This category includes chainsaws, weed wackers, leaf blowers, and lawnmowers. These tools have very loud powerful motors. It’s worth noting that entirely electric motors are often quieter.
- Fireworks events: Summer is full of fireworks. From neighborhood get-togethers to holiday festivities to sporting events, fireworks shows are everywhere during the summer months. Regrettably, fireworks are extremely loud and can definitely cause damage to your ears.
- Driving: If you’re driving with the windows down, the wind noise can reach hazardous volumes in your ears and this is even more relevant if you drive a convertible. And the risk becomes exponentially worse the longer you are exposed.
Generally speaking, sounds louder than 85dB are considered to be damaging. A typical hair dryer, blender, or lawnmower is around this volume. That’s important to be aware of 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-induced hearing loss?
Noise-induced hearing loss impacts millions of individuals each year. And, unlike age-related hearing loss, noise-induced hearing loss can happen at any age. Prevention is important for this precise reason. Some of the most successful 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 rest and a chance to recuperate. Damage will advance more rapidly if you’re always listening to your devices at a high volume.
- Use disposable earplugs when you have to: Using disposable earplugs may not be as effective as customized earplugs but, in a pinch, they’re better than no protection at all. An inexpensive pair of disposable earplugs can help prevent significant damage if you find yourself in a loud setting all of a sudden.
- Wear hearing protection: Keep a set of ear plugs or ear muffs handy in case you can’t or aren’t willing to avoid certain loud situations. When you’re in environments that are too loud, use this protection to your advantage. Damage can be avoided in this way. You can be especially benefited by utilizing hearing protection costume designed for you.
- Get your hearing checked: Hearing loss normally doesn’t develop all of a sudden. It could take years to detect in many instances. Often, the only way to determine whether you have any noise-induced hearing loss is to get your hearing checked. We will help you comprehend how to keep your hearing healthy for years to come and talk about treatment options for any hearing loss you may already have.
- Limit your time in noisy environments: The more noisy the environment, the more you should regulate your time. Your ears can be safeguarded from long-term damage in this way. Every thirty minutes or so, when you’re at a noisy sporting event, for example, go and spend some time in a quieter spot.
- Download a sound level detection app to your phone: You might be surprised at just how fast sounds can escalate above that 85dB danger zone volume. Even your earbuds and headphones can begin to do damage at these volume levels. There are many reliable apps available for smartphones that can help you track ambient noise levels, so you can be more aware of when your surroundings become dangerous to your hearing.
- 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 significant damage.
You don’t need to resign yourself to having noise-induced hearing loss. You’re hearing can be maintained by utilizing prevention strategies. You can safeguard your hearing and enjoy fun activities in any season with the right approach.
Begin your journey towards better hearing by contacting us for an appointment.