What Summer Sounds Cause Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss is one of the most common health issues experienced in America. Given that hearing loss cannot be reversed, every audiologist will confirm that it’s vital that you protect your hearing health. Becoming aware of the summer sounds that could cause hearing loss is a crucial step that will subsequently enable you to put the necessary steps in place.

Continued exposure to sounds of 85 decibels (dBs) or above, with the time needed to cause irreversible damage becoming increasingly shorter as the sound levels rise.

Summer Sounds That Cause Hearing Loss

There are several sound sources that an audiologist will advise you to take care over, especially in the summer months when trying to enjoy life to the max. Here are six situations where exposure to loud noises could be problematic:

• Loud concerts: Attending music gigs is a popular summer activity. However, a weekend spent at an outdoor festival could result in several hours of continuous exposure to sound levels of around 90-100dBs. Attending several shows throughout the summer could pose a significant risk.
• Power equipment: A variety of tools commonly used during summer operate at above 85dB. Hand drills, chain saws and belt sanders all operate at over 90dBs, for example. Repeated use will put you at significant risk of developing irreversible hearing loss.
• Fireworks: Whether attending a sporting event or a community show, there are many instances where fireworks may be used. The loud bangs hit 150-175dBs, which should quickly highlight how dangerous they can be to your hearing. This is especially true if you face a lot of them.
• Personal music: While concerts are the obvious source of loud music, many people cause damage to their ears after extended exposure to music through headphones. Even if you go for a long summer walk, there is a real threat that music at full volume will cause permanent hearing damage.
• Motorbikes: If you’re a motorcycle owner, it’s likely that you will ride it more frequently in the summer months. Revving your bike can see the noise levels reach 100dBs. It is particularly important when to take care if taking long journeys or going through tunnels.

Protect Your Hearing This Summer

If you are likely to encounter any of the issues above, it is vital that you take the necessary steps to protect your hearing. An audiologist can discuss a range of hearing solutions such as earplugs or noise-canceling headphones. Meanwhile, ideas like setting a maximum noise level on your headphones or devices can work wonders.

Alternatively, if you’re attending music festivals, regular breaks from the main stage can help. Where possible, giving yourself a few days between gigs will be hugely beneficial. Of course, you must also take protection against sound-inducing equipment that you may encounter throughout the year, such as airplanes or heavy machinery.

If you feel that your hearing has already been impacted, or just want to speak to an audiologist about the right tools to protect your hearing this summer and beyond, get in touch today.