Having the ability to hear is one of the wonders of being human. You want to cherish your hearing, so it’s important that you take care of your ears. Taking preventive measures is the best way to care for your hearing for the long haul. Now that’s summertime many people take advantage of the warm weather to have some fun in the sun. However, some of these summertime activities are loud and can potentially damage your ears. Unfortunately, many people are exposed to these loud noises for an extended period. Being exposed to loud noises can increase your risk for permanent hearing loss. Using motorized recreational vehicles, listening to audio through a pair of headphones, going to concerts, running a lawn mower, and watching fireworks are all very common outdoor summer activities.
It is vital that you protect your ears from the sounds of summer. We can help ensure that you take care of your hearing, while still being able to enjoy the summer. To protect your ears from the loud summer sounds, follow our summertime ear protection tips.
1. When you are using headphones to listen to audio, watch the volume and keep it low. Listening to an iPod at maximum volume can top 100 decibels. 85 decibels is the cutoff for hearing safety, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) so turn down the volume.
2. Follow our steps from our previous article to help avoid swimmer’s ear. It is important to keep in mind that this condition is not just from swimming. While swimmer’s ear is usually not dangerous when promptly treated, it can be very painful. This condition will also keep you out of the water!
3. Increase your distance from the stage, speakers, firework shows, and at any other loud event. By staying a safe distance away, you can reduce your chances of hearing damage. Increasing your distance will contribute to reducing the decibels of the noise reaching your ears.
4. Use earplugs or protective headphones while operating power equipment and loud machines, driving with the windows down, out target shooting, or when you are at a loud show or concert. Doing this will allow you to hear what you are doing while blocking out loud sounds that are dangerous to your hearing. You can find disposable earplugs or protective headphones at your local hardware store.
5. When you are in a loud environment that is constant, make sure you take some time away somewhere quiet. By alternating your time being the loud and quiet environment, you will lessen your chances of damage. It’s good to give your ears a break, so rotate your time and use ear protection.
6. Have regular checkups if your audiologist. Having regular checkups with your audiologist is just as important as having a checkup with your primary doctor. Your ability to hear is a gift that you must maintain, so make sure you do the maintenance. See your audiologist today to help head off any potential hearing health problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
To protect your hearing while using headphones, keep the volume low, ideally below 85 decibels, which is the safety cutoff recommended by the CDC. Listening to audio at maximum volume, such as on an iPod, can exceed 100 decibels and potentially cause hearing damage.
Swimmer's ear can be avoided by following proper ear care and hygiene practices, such as thoroughly drying your ears after exposure to water and avoiding inserting objects that can irritate the ear canal. Prompt treatment is important if symptoms appear, as this condition can be painful and keep you out of the water.
Increasing your distance from loud sources like stages, fireworks, and speakers reduces the decibel level of sound reaching your ears. This reduction decreases the risk of hearing damage when attending loud events or activities during summer.
Use earplugs or protective headphones when operating loud machinery, riding motorized recreational vehicles, attending concerts, target shooting, or when exposed to continuous loud noise such as from lawn mowers or fireworks. These protect your ears by blocking harmful noise levels while allowing you to hear necessary sounds.
Alternating between loud and quiet environments gives your ears a rest, reducing the risk of hearing damage caused by constant loud noise exposure. Taking breaks in quieter areas allows your auditory system to recover, which is essential for long-term hearing health.
Regular hearing checkups with an audiologist are important for maintaining your hearing health, similar to visits to your primary care doctor. Early detection through routine exams can help prevent or address potential hearing problems before they worsen.
