Autumn is upon us, and as we watch the leaves change to the vivid colors of fall, it might also be an excellent time to changes our auditory habits and do the little things to help our hearing. To many, the ending of the summer months means it’s the last opportunity to engage in the outdoor activities that have we were unable to find time to do. Quite a few fall activities can be very loud and can damage hearing if adequate steps are not taken to protect it. Make sure to follow our simple guidelines on how you can protect your hearing in the fall, so it will last for many seasons to come.
October is National Protect Your Hearing Month, reminding us that the events and chores of fall have a distinctive flair that presents its own set of auditory risks. Knowing what to be aware of and taking the steps necessary to protect your hearing can make all the difference in the long run.
1. The CDC has stated that any sound above 85 decibels can damage a person’s ability to hear. A lot of the yard equipment that is used to clean up fall has engines. From lawnmowers to leaf blowers, many of them go above the CDC recommendations as soon as they are turned on. It is always a good idea to wear earplugs or sound dampening headphones while using motorized tools. One thing to be extra careful of is if you are using music headphones. Make sure they have sound-dampening features so you don’t have the volume turned up above the level of the engine.
2. Fall is also a great time to attend concerts and sporting events. And due to the possibility of inclement weather, many of these events are scheduled to be indoors. But, whether inside or out, the same risk of harm to your hearing remains. Keeping headphones available in your car, pocket, or tailgating gear is always a good idea.
3. If you doubt the level of sound you are hearing, you can always use a sound meter. There is a large variety of affordable meters available. If you don’t want to carry another gadget, sound meter apps are also available to download for smartphones.
Frequently Asked Questions
October is designated as National Protect Your Hearing Month to raise awareness about the unique auditory risks associated with fall activities and chores. During this time, people are reminded to take steps to protect their hearing from potential damage caused by loud sounds typical of the season.
Many fall activities such as using motorized yard equipment like lawnmowers and leaf blowers produce sound levels exceeding 85 decibels, which can damage hearing. Additionally, attending concerts and sporting events, often held indoors during the cooler months, can expose individuals to loud noise levels that risk hearing damage if protection is not used.
According to the CDC, sounds above 85 decibels can harm hearing. Many motorized yard tools used in fall, such as leaf blowers and lawnmowers, exceed this threshold as soon as they are turned on, making it important to wear ear protection when using them to prevent hearing loss.
It is advisable to use earplugs or sound-dampening headphones when operating motorized tools during fall cleanup. Additionally, if listening to music with headphones while using such equipment, ensure they have noise-canceling features to avoid turning the volume up to harmful levels that could further damage your hearing.
Yes, smartphone sound meter apps can be used to measure ambient noise levels during fall activities. These apps provide an affordable and convenient way to determine if the environment exceeds safe noise levels, helping you decide when to use hearing protection.
Concerts and sporting events, whether held indoors or outdoors in the fall, often involve loud noises that can damage hearing. Having headphones with sound-dampening capabilities readily available allows you to protect your ears from harmful decibel levels during these events.
