Noise is a constant factor in our daily lives. From lawnmowers and traffic to personal audio devices, the world is louder than ever. 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 concentrate on how to protect this vital sense.
8 tips to protect your hearing
It’s a relief that uncomplicated actions can be implemented to shield your ears from the ambient noise you encounter daily. Here are eight top tips to safeguard your hearing.
1. Become familiar with noise levels and their impact
Being conscious of how loud is too loud is the initial step in preventing hearing damage. Varying noises generate different decibel (dB) measurements; spending too much time around loud ones can result in permanent hearing damage. Here’s a quick overview:
- Lawn mowers and heavy traffic fall into the 85–90 dB range, which is safe for up to 2 hours of listening.
- 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.
A forward-thinking mindset regarding noise levels allows you to keep away from environments that are unsafe for your hearing.
2. Measure sound levels yourself
Are you interested in finding out the true loudness of your environment? A smartphone makes checking sound levels easy. There are many free applications that function as sound meters, enabling you to assess surrounding noise levels. The key to getting exact data is to take the measurement from the distance you usually maintain from the origin of the sound.
If you use this measuring method consistently, you’ll better understand your environment and be equipped to make wise choices to guard your hearing.
3. Don’t crank up the volume on your devices
One of the most frequent causes of gradual hearing damage is enjoying music or podcasts at volumes that are too high. Despite their handiness, headphones and earbuds often mask certain risks. It’s noteworthy that many headphones can reach 100 dB, a level that can induce hearing loss in only 15 minutes of use.
Today, over a billion young people are at risk of hearing loss from using earbuds at high volumes. To be safe, 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. Avoid using music to drown out background noise
If you reside in a noisy neighborhood or frequently work in loud environments, it might be tempting to use headphones to drown out the background sound. It is in fact harmful to increase the volume excessively just to override outside noise. A better alternative is to use noise-canceling headphones, as they let you listen to music or podcasts at a far lower and safer volume. If you don’t have noise-canceling headphones, earplugs can be an effective alternative.
5. Always utilize earplugs in loud settings
For anyone regularly attending loud environments—whether at concerts, sporting events, or while operating heavy machinery—earplugs are a must. They are small, affordable, and easy to carry, making them a straightforward but effective tool for hearing protection.
Custom-fitted earplugs are offered for those who need them regularly, providing better fit and protection than generic options. Never fail to 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 comply with safety protocols regarding hearing protection. Be cautious because some jobs may ignore the risks; individuals claiming “it’s not that loud” could be suffering from substantial hearing loss and thus misjudging the true noise level. Take essential steps to protect yourself by observing all guidelines and wearing the designated protective equipment.
7. Distance yourself from loud noise
Sometimes the best way to protect your ears is simply to move away from the noise source. Distance diminishes the intensity of sound reaching your ears, helping to minimize damage. 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.
Fireworks offer a good example. Even if a 150 dB firework explosion appears distant, being close to the launch site means the noise could still be over 120 dB, leading to immediate damage. 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
Should you already be dealing with hearing loss, it is imperative that you take action so it doesn’t progress. This kind of impairment will not disappear; it only gets worse. Particularly, almost 10% of adults aged 55 to 64 suffer from major hearing loss, with the rates climbing steeply among older demographics.
When initial signs of hearing loss are ignored, it only causes the impairment to progress faster. It is common for people to wait an average of 7 years longer than they should before seeking a consultation. The sooner you consult with a hearing specialist and explore hearing aids or other treatments, the better your chances of preserving your remaining hearing.
Act now for better hearing
National Protect Your Hearing Month is an excellent reminder to focus on your hearing health. These basic steps are effective and can make a big change, whether your goal is to reduce existing hearing loss or stop future impairment.
book a hearing test now and gain control over your hearing health before the opportunity is gone.