Acoustic interference is an unavoidable aspect of modern life. Our environment—from traffic and lawnmowers to music via personal audio devices—is increasingly loud. Without proper care, this higher level of noise can result in damage to your ears. October is National Protect Your Hearing Month, making it the perfect time to emphasize how to maintain this crucial sense.
8 key suggestions to protect your hearing
It’s a relief that uncomplicated actions can be implemented to defend your ears from the ambient noise you encounter daily. The following are eight major recommendations for maintaining your hearing health.
1. Become familiar with noise levels and their impact
The most important action for averting auditory damage is to determine when a sound level becomes hazardous. The volume of various sounds is measured in decibels (dB), and being subjected to them for extended durations 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.
- 100 dB: Motorcycles, construction machinery – Hearing damage can occur in as little as 15 minutes.
- Over 110 dB: Fireworks, gunshots, explosions – Instant damage can happen after just a few seconds.
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. Determine sound levels yourself
Curious about how loud your environment really is? Your smartphone offers an convenient way to measure these levels. There are many free applications that function as sound meters, enabling you to assess surrounding noise levels. For the most precise results, ensure you measure the sound from your typical distance to the source.
If you use this measuring method consistently, you’ll gain a clearer insight into your environment and be equipped to make wise choices to guard your hearing.
3. Keep the volume down on your devices
Listening to music or podcasts at excessive volumes is one of the most common ways people damage their hearing over time. Headphones and earbuds, while convenient, frequently carry understated dangers. For example, many headphones can exceed 100 dB, resulting in hearing loss in just 15 minutes.
Today, over a billion young people are at risk of hearing loss from using earbuds at high volumes. 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. Never try to use music to drown out loud noise
If you reside in a noisy neighborhood or frequently work in loud environments, it might be enticing to use headphones to drown out the background sound. However, turning the volume high enough to overpower the noise outside is unwise for your hearing. Opt instead for noise-canceling headphones; these devices make it possible to listen to your music or podcasts at a considerably reduced, safer level. In the absence of noise-canceling headphones, using earplugs is an efficient substitute.
5. Always utilize earplugs in loud settings
For anyone often in loud environments—whether at concerts, sporting events, or while operating heavy machinery—earplugs are a must. Since they are small, affordable, and easy to transport, earplugs offer an easy but powerful means of hearing protection.
If you use them often, custom-fitted earplugs can be obtained, offering improved protection and a better fit than off-the-shelf versions. In any loud setting, don’t forget to use them.
6. While at work, follow safety guidelines
When your work involves being near loud machinery or equipment, you must diligently follow all safety procedures for hearing protection. Be wary because some jobs may discount the risks; individuals claiming “it’s not that loud” could be suffering from substantial hearing loss and thus misjudging the true noise level. Protect yourself by following guidelines and wearing suitable protective equipment.
7. Distance yourself from loud noise
Often, the best strategy for safeguarding your ears is merely to step away from the noise. Distance reduces the intensity of sound impacting your ears, thereby minimize damage. As an illustration, a noise source at 110 dB will be reduced to roughly 100 dB if you stand 20 feet away—a level that allows for up to 15 minutes of safe exposure.
The example of fireworks is instructive. A firework exploding at 150 dB may seem far away, but if you’re near the launch site, the noise can still go beyond 120 dB, causing instant damage. In contrast, by seating yourself 2,000 feet away (approximately five football fields), you can view the show at a safer level, under 100 dB.
8. Address existing hearing loss promptly
It’s key to take steps as soon as possible if you have any hearing loss to prevent further decline. Auditory impairment is not self-reversing; it will progress. Statistics reveal that nearly 1 out of 10 adults in the 55-to-64 age group have considerable hearing loss, and this percentage increases 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 seek help. Your ability to conserve the hearing you still have is greatly enhanced the earlier you see a hearing specialist to review options like hearing aids.
Start protecting your hearing now
National Protect Your Hearing Month is an excellent 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 control of your hearing health before it’s too late.