Noise is a constant part in our daily lives. Our environment—from traffic and yard work to music via earbuds—is increasingly loud. Without proper care, this higher level of noise can cause damage to your ears. The observance of National Protect Your Hearing Month in October provides the best opportunity to focus on the maintenance of this fundamental 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. Here are eight key tips to preserve your hearing.
1. Grasp noise levels and their impact
Being aware of how loud is too loud is the initial step in preventing hearing damage. The volume of various sounds is measured in decibels (dB), and being exposed to them for extended durations can cause irreversible hearing impairment. Here’s a quick guide:
- 85–90 dB: Lawn mowers, heavy traffic – Safe for up to 2 hours of exposure.
- Exposure to 100 dB sounds, such as those from construction equipment or motorcycles, risks hearing damage in only 15 minutes.
- Instant damage is possible after merely a few seconds of exposure to noises over 110 dB, like explosions, gunshots, or fireworks.
Taking a preventative approach to noise awareness can help you steer clear of environments that are dangerous to your ears.
2. Measure sound levels yourself
Are you interested in finding out the true loudness of your environment? A smartphone makes measuring sound levels easy. You can download various 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.
Regular use of this app can enhance your understanding of your surroundings, facilitating smarter choices about hearing protection.
3. Keep the volume down on your devices
Listening to music or podcasts at high volumes is one of the most common ways people impair their hearing over time. The convenience of headphones and earbuds often comes with unseen risks. Many headphones, for instance, are capable of reaching volumes over 100 dB, which means hearing loss can occur in as little as 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. Crucially, keep your earbud volume below 50% of its full level to protect your hearing. The need to increase the volume past this point to hear indicates that you may already have some hearing damage.
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. It is actually harmful to increase the volume excessively just to override outside noise. Instead, consider using noise-canceling headphones, which allow you to enjoy your music or podcasts at a much lower, safer volume. If you don’t have noise-canceling headphones, earplugs can be an effective alternative.
5. When in loud settings, use earplugs
For anyone often in loud environments—whether at concerts, sporting events, or while operating heavy machinery—earplugs are a must. They are a very effective yet simple hearing protection strategy, being compact, inexpensive, and portable.
Individuals who require earplugs often can obtain custom-fitted ones, which give superior protection and comfort compared to standard types. Never think twice about use earplugs when you are in a noisy location.
6. While at work, follow safety recommendations
If your job involves being around loud equipment or machinery, always follow safety protocols regarding hearing protection. While some employers may underestimate the danger, those who insist “it’s not that loud” might already have noticeable hearing damage and be unaware of the actual volume. Protect yourself by following guidelines and wearing appropriate protective equipment.
7. Move further away from loud noise
Frequently, the best strategy for safeguarding your ears is merely to put distance between yourself and the noise. The benefit of distance is that it decreases the sound’s intensity before it reaches your ears, thus helping to minimize the risk of harm. 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.
Fireworks offer a good example. 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. You can nonetheless enjoy the display at a safer level, below 100 dB, by being 2,000 feet away (the length of about five football fields).
8. Existing hearing loss needs to be addressed promptly
If you’ve already noticed hearing loss, it’s essential to act before it worsens. Hearing loss doesn’t go away on its own; it progresses. Nearly 1 in 10 adults between the ages of 55 and 64 has noticeable hearing loss, and those numbers rise sharply in older age.
Failing to address the first warning signs of auditory loss will only hasten its advancement. Typically, individuals delay seeking treatment by a full 7 years. Your ability to conserve the hearing you still have is improved the earlier you see a hearing specialist to review options like hearing aids.
Take action today
National Protect Your Hearing Month is an excellent reminder to prioritize your hearing health. These fundamental steps are useful and can make a big change, whether your goal is to mitigate existing hearing loss or stop it from happening.
Schedule a hearing test today and take control of your hearing health before it’s too late.