Acoustic interference is an perpetual aspect of modern life. Our environment—from commute sounds 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 preserve this crucial sense.
8 actionable steps to protect your hearing
It’s a relief that basic actions can be implemented to defend your ears from the ambient noise you encounter daily. Here are eight essential tips to safeguard your hearing.
1. Become familiar with noise levels and their affect
The initial action for staving off auditory damage is to recognize when a sound level becomes hazardous. The volume of various sounds is measured in decibels (dB), and being exposed to them for too long can cause lasting hearing impairment. Consult this brief table:
- 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.
Taking a preventative approach to noise awareness can help you steer clear of environments that are hazardous to your ears.
2. Determine sound levels yourself
Curious about how loud your environment really is? A smartphone makes checking sound levels easy. Several free sound meter apps are accessible, allowing you to check noise levels around you. For the most precise results, ensure you measure the sound from your usual distance to the source.
Using this feature regularly can help you better interpret your environment and make informed decisions about protecting your hearing.
3. Keep the volume down on your devices
A major way people negatively affect their hearing over time is by using their devices at loud volume settings. Headphones and earbuds, while convenient, frequently carry unrecognized dangers. For example, many headphones can surpass 100 dB, resulting in hearing loss in just 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. To be safe, keep your earbud volume below 50% of its full potential to protect your hearing. Having 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 tempting to use headphones to block out the background sound. But cranking up the volume to overpower outside noise is damaging. Opt instead for noise-canceling headphones; these devices make it possible to listen to your music or podcasts at a much reduced, safer level. In the absence of noise-canceling headphones, using earplugs is an efficient substitute.
5. When in loud settings, use earplugs
Whether you are at a concert, a sports event, or operating loud machinery, earplugs are critical for those routinely exposed to loud environments. They are small, affordable, and easy to carry, making them a straightforward but effective tool for hearing protection.
If you use them often, custom-fitted earplugs can be purchased, offering enhanced protection and a better fit than off-the-shelf versions. You should always use them in any settings that are loud.
6. Adhere to safety guidelines at work
If your job requires being around loud equipment or machinery, always follow safety protocols regarding hearing protection. Some workplaces may undervalue the risks, but those who claim “it’s not that loud” may already have significant hearing loss and don’t perceive the current noise levels. Protect yourself by adhering to guidelines and wearing appropriate protective equipment.
7. Move further away from loud noise
Often, the best strategy for safeguarding your ears is merely to put distance between yourself and the noise. By increasing distance, the sound intensity hitting your ears is lessened, which works to reduce 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.
Consider fireworks as a perfect illustration. 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. However, by seating yourself 2,000 feet away (approximately five football fields), you can experience the show at a safer level, under 100 dB.
8. Existing hearing loss needs to be addressed promptly
If you’ve already noticed hearing loss, it’s vital to act before it worsens. Auditory impairment is not self-reversing; it will continue to worsen. Nearly 1 in 10 adults between the ages of 55 and 64 has noticeable hearing loss, and those numbers increase dramatically in older age.
Failing to address the first indications of auditory loss will only quicken its advancement. Typically, individuals delay seeking professional assistance by a full 7 years. By consulting a hearing specialist sooner and investigating treatments such as hearing aids, you maximize the potential for retaining your existing hearing.
Start protecting your hearing now
Take advantage of National Protect Your Hearing Month as a chance to make hearing health a main concern. These easy-to-follow actions can have a major impact, regardless of whether you’re seeking to avert future harm or you’ve already experienced some hearing loss.
Schedule a hearing test today and take control of your hearing health before it’s too late.
