Acoustic interference is an unavoidable aspect of modern life. From power tools and road noise to personal audio devices, the world is more cacophonous than ever. Without adequate care, this higher level of noise can cause damage to your sense of hearing. The observance of National Protect Your Hearing Month in October provides the perfect opportunity to prioritize the conservation of this fundamental sense.
How to safeguard your hearing: 8 key methods
It’s a relief that basic actions can be implemented to defend your ears from the constant noise you encounter daily. We present eight crucial pieces of advice to ensure auditory protection.
1. Know noise levels and their impact
The most important action for averting auditory damage is to determine when a sound level becomes excessive. The volume of various sounds is measured in decibels (dB), and being subjected to them for too long can cause irreversible hearing impairment. A fast look is below:
- 85–90 dB: Lawn mowers, heavy traffic – Safe for up to 2 hours of exposure.
- At 100 dB (e.g., motorcycles, construction machinery), hearing damage can begin after only 15 minutes.
- Instant damage is possible after merely a few seconds of exposure to noises over 110 dB, like explosions, gunshots, or fireworks.
By being vigilant about how loud your surroundings are, you can effectively stay away from settings that pose a threat to your auditory health.
2. Measure sound levels yourself
Want to know the actual volume of your surroundings? Your smartphone offers an simple way to measure it. You can download a range of complimentary sound meter applications to evaluate the noise in your vicinity. To get accurate results, measure from the distance you usually are from the sound source.
Using this tool regularly can help you better understand your environment and make informed decisions about protecting your hearing.
3. Don’t crank up the volume on your devices
One of the most frequent causes of long-term hearing damage is enjoying music or podcasts at an amplified level. The convenience of headphones and earbuds often comes with unseen risks. For example, many headphones can exceed 100 dB, resulting in hearing loss in just 15 minutes.
Because they listen with earbuds at high volumes, more than a billion young people worldwide are currently facing a risk of hearing loss. To protect your ears, never turn your earbuds above 50% of their maximum volume. If you need to raise the volume higher to hear, that’s a clear indicator your hearing may already be damaged.
4. Avoid using music to drown out background noise
When situated in a noisy environment or living in a loud neighborhood, you may be tempted to use headphones to cancel the surrounding noise. However, turning the volume high enough to overpower the noise outside is unwise for your hearing. Instead, consider using noise-canceling headphones, which allow you to enjoy your music or podcasts at a much lower, less hazardous volume. If you don’t have noise-canceling headphones, earplugs can be an effective alternative.
5. Always use earplugs in loud environments
Whether you are at a concert, a sports event, or operating loud machinery, earplugs are crucial for those routinely exposed to loud environments. They are a highly effective yet simple hearing protection strategy, being compact, inexpensive, and portable.
Individuals who use earplugs often can get custom-fitted ones, which give superior protection and comfort compared to standard types. Never fail to use earplugs when you are in a noisy location.
6. Follow safety recomendations at work
If your job requires being around loud equipment or machinery, always adhere to safety protocols regarding hearing protection. Some workplaces may undervalue the risks, but those who claim “it’s not that loud” may already have considerable hearing loss and don’t perceive the current noise levels. It is vital to protect your hearing by using the necessary protective gear and abiding by the safety rules.
7. Move further away from loud noise
The most effective means of hearing protection can often be just creating distance from the source of the loud sound. The advantage of distance is that it decreases the sound’s intensity before it reaches your ears, thus helping to minimize the risk of harm. To illustrate, moving 20 feet back from a 110 dB sound source can lower the level to about 100 dB, which is safe for 15 minutes of exposure.
The example of fireworks demonstrates this well. While a firework explosion registers at 150 dB, if you are close to where it launches, the sound can still surpass 120 dB, which can cause instant harm. By sitting 2,000 feet away (roughly five football fields), you can enjoy the show at a safer level below 100 dB.
8. Existing hearing loss needs to be addressed promptly
It’s key to seek help as soon as possible if you have any hearing loss to prevent further deterioration. Hearing loss doesn’t go away on its own; it progresses. Statistics show that approximately 1 out of 10 adults in the 55-to-64 age group have considerable hearing loss, and this percentage jumps in later years.
Failing to address the first warning signs of auditory loss will only quicken its advancement. On average, people wait 7 years too long to get treatment. By consulting a hearing specialist sooner and exploring treatments such as hearing aids, you maximize the potential for maintaining your existing hearing.
Act now for better hearing
National Protect Your Hearing Month is an perfect reminder to prioritize your hearing health. These simple actions can have a significant impact, regardless of whether you’re seeking to prevent future harm or you’ve already suffered some hearing loss.
Schedule a hearing test today and take charge of your hearing health before it’s too late.