Finally, summer has arrived, which means most of us spend a lot more time out and about. It’s a great season for gatherings, barbecues, parties, and neighborhood events. Sports fans among us will spend more time at the ballpark, while those of us who love the outdoors will spend more time on dirt bikes or jet skis. It’s important to remember to protect your hearing throughout these activities, as noise levels could cause potential damage. Learn more about noise-induced hearing loss and the decibels you may experience.
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Noise-induced hearing loss occurs when we are exposed to dangerous levels of noise, whether in short bursts, singular events, or over a long period of time. With exposure to dangerous levels of sound, the inner ear hair cells – that receive amplified sound waves and translate them into neural signals to send to the brain – are permanently damaged and do not regenerate. This leads to sensorineural hearing loss.
Though there is no cure for hearing loss, there is treatment available in the form of hearing aids. Before you get to this step, however, keep in mind that noise-induced hearing loss is 100% preventable. This requires paying attention to the sounds in your environment and always carrying hearing protection with you to places with loud sounds.
The Big Game
Cheering fans, enthusiastic announcers, high-energy music: these are all elements of a sports game to keep us engaged and excited. However, did you know that noise produced at a typical stadium could lead to permanent hearing loss? Sounds at sports games can average between 80 to 90 decibels. To put this into context, eight hours of exposure to sounds at 85 decibels without hearing protection could lead to permanent hearing loss.
Noise levels grow at sports games during tense or exciting moments, and could register 100 to 115 decibels. The Guinness World Record for the loudest sports game in history belongs to the Seattle Seahawks, in which sounds were measured at 137.6 decibels. Shockingly, this also induced a mini-earthquake!
Moreover, this sound is equivalent to standing next to a jet engine taking off. Hearing specialists estimate that exposure of one to 15 minutes at these levels can cause permanent hearing loss. Keep in mind that noise-induced hearing loss is cumulative; the more games you attend, the more you might damage your hearing.
No need to skip the game though! Be sure you bring proper hearing protection, whether it is generic foam earplugs or custom-made hearing protection.
Fireworks Displays
We all love a vibrant display of fireworks for Independence Day. After a day of grilling and spending time with friends and family, what’s more appropriate that an evening with a display of lights? Take care of your ears when enjoying fireworks, as their explosions create dangerous noise conditions.
According to Dynamite Fireworks, the loudness of fireworks depends on a variety of factors: “In general, commercial-grade display fireworks are louder than the consumer-grade fireworks you can buy for home displays. In addition, some fireworks are manufactured primarily for their display properties, while others are manufactured to maximize the boom. Even atmospheric conditions play a role, making the exact same fireworks sound louder on some nights than others.”
Fireworks range from 150 to 175 decibels, at the peak of their explosion. Fireworks for home display tend to be quieter, but can sound louder due to their proximity to us. In terms of hearing safety, it is a good idea to follow instructions to stand far away from fireworks and to always enjoy them to with hearing protection.
Outdoor Concerts
Live music in any venue could pose a threat to your hearing, but in this season of outdoor concerts and festivals, you may be more at risk. While it may not seem as loud in a big park, your proximity to sound could put your hearing at risk. Decibels at concerts could rise up to 120 decibels – just a few moments in close proximity to a speaker at this volume could permanently damage your hearing.
Again, remember your custom ear protection or ear plugs when you’re getting ready to rock out in the open air!
How to Protect Your Hearing this Summer
If you are frequently exposed to loud sounds, invest in a pair of custom ear protection. These are made from a mold of your ear and ensure a snug fit to filter out dangerous decibels. At the very least, silicon or foam ear plugs help protect your ears in a variety of settings. Take a break from loud sounds. If you’re near a speaker, step away for a bit to give your ears a rest.
If you’ve recently been exposed to dangerously high levels of sound, give us a call at one of our My Hearing Centers locations to schedule a hearing test.