We are enveloped by noise in our everyday existence. Whether it’s lawnmowers, heavy traffic, or our own headphones, the aural world has intensified. Such loud conditions can compromise your hearing if you fail to be cautious. October is National Protect Your Hearing Month, making it the perfect time to concentrate on how to protect this vital sense.
How to shield your hearing: 8 key methods
It’s a relief that basic 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 affect
The most important action for averting auditory damage is to recognize when a sound level becomes excessive. Different sounds produce varying decibel (dB) levels, and long-term exposure can lead to permanent hearing loss. Consult this brief table:
- Sounds like heavy traffic or lawn mowers (85–90 dB) can be tolerated safely for a maximum of 2 hours.
- Exposure to 100 dB sounds, such as those from construction equipment or motorcycles, risks hearing damage in only 15 minutes.
- Over 110 dB: Fireworks, gunshots, explosions – Instant damage can happen after just a few seconds.
A forward-thinking mindset regarding noise levels enables you to keep away from environments that are unsafe for your hearing.
2. Measure sound levels yourself
Want to know the actual volume of your surroundings? A smartphone makes measuring sound levels effortless. You can download various complimentary sound meter applications to monitor the noise in your vicinity. To get accurate results, measure from the distance you usually are from the sound source.
If you use this technique consistently, you’ll better understand your environment and be prepared 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 long-term hearing damage is enjoying music or podcasts at volumes that are too high. Despite their practicality, headphones and earbuds often conceal certain risks. For example, many headphones can surpass 100 dB, leading to 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 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 sign your hearing may already be damaged.
4. Never try to use music to drown out loud noise
If you live 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 detrimental. Instead, consider using noise-canceling headphones, which allow you to enjoy your music or podcasts at a much lower, less hazardous volume. If you don’t have noise-canceling headphones, earplugs can be an effective alternative.
5. When in noisy environments, use earplugs
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.
Custom-fitted earplugs are offered for those who need them regularly, providing better comfort and protection than generic options. Never think twice about use earplugs when you are in a noisy location.
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. Some workplaces may downplay 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 following guidelines and wearing suitable protective equipment.
7. Move further away from loud noise
The most effective means of hearing protection can often be just creating distance from the source of the loud sound. Distance reduces the intensity of sound reaching your ears, helping to 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 exceed 120 dB, causing instant 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
If you’ve already developed hearing loss, it’s vital to act before it worsens. Auditory impairment is not self-reversing; it will progress. Particularly, almost 10% of adults aged 55 to 64 suffer from major hearing loss, with the rates rising considerably among older demographics.
Failing to address the first warning signs of auditory loss will only hasten its advancement. Usually, individuals delay seeking treatment by a full 7 years. The sooner you consult with a hearing specialist and consider hearing aids or other treatments, the better your chances of saving your remaining hearing.
Take action today
Take advantage of National Protect Your Hearing Month as the ideal reminder to make hearing health a top concern. These simple actions can have a major impact, regardless of whether you’re seeking to prevent future harm or you’ve already suffered some hearing loss.
To avoid future regret, arrange a hearing test immediately and take responsibility for your auditory health.