Acoustic interference is an unavoidable aspect of modern life. Whether it’s lawnmowers, vehicles, or our own headphones, the auditory world has intensified. This increase in noise can have a detrimental effect on your hearing if you’re not careful. The observance of National Protect Your Hearing Month in October provides the perfect opportunity to focus on the maintenance of this key sense.
8 actionable steps to protect your hearing
Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to protect your ears from the daily noise around you. Here are eight top tips to secure your hearing.
1. Become familiar with volume levels and their impact
Being conscious of how loud is too loud is the initial step in preventing hearing damage. Diverse noises generate different decibel (dB) measurements; spending too much time around loud ones can result in permanent hearing damage. Here’s a quick guide:
- Lawn mowers and heavy traffic fall into the 85–90 dB range, which is safe for up to 2 hours of exposure.
- At 100 dB (e.g., motorcycles, construction machinery), hearing damage can begin after only 15 minutes.
- Instant damage is possible after merely a few seconds of exposure to noises over 110 dB, like explosions, gunshots, or fireworks.
A forward-thinking mindset regarding noise levels allows you to keep away from environments that are unsafe for your hearing.
2. Check sound levels yourself
Want to know the actual volume of your surroundings? A smartphone makes measuring sound levels effortless. You can download a range of complimentary sound meter applications to evaluate the noise in your vicinity. 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 technique consistently, you’ll gain a clearer insight into your environment and be prepared to make sound choices to shield your hearing.
3. Don’t crank up the volume 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 ease of headphones and earbuds often comes with unseen risks. For example, many headphones can surpass 100 dB, resulting in hearing loss in just 15 minutes.
Current data suggests that more than a billion young individuals face the threat of hearing impairment due to loud earbud use. 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
For those who live in loud areas or work in noisy settings, the urge to use headphones to overpower the ambient sound can be strong. But cranking up the volume to overpower outside noise is harmful. 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 effective substitute.
5. Always use earplugs in loud environments
Whether you are at a concert, a sports event, or operating loud machinery, earplugs are crucial for those often exposed to loud environments. Since they are small, affordable, and easy to transport, earplugs offer an easy but powerful method of hearing protection.
Individuals who require earplugs often can obtain custom-fitted ones, which give superior protection and comfort compared to standard types. In any loud setting, don’t forget to use them.
6. Follow safety recomendations at work
critically, if your occupation exposes you to loud machinery or equipment, you must ensure you follow the established safety guidelines for auditory 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. Protect yourself by adhering to guidelines and wearing proper protective equipment.
7. Move further away from loud noise
The most effective means of hearing protection can often be just moving back from the source of the loud sound. Distance reduces the intensity of sound reaching your ears, thereby 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, resulting in immediate damage. In contrast, by positioning yourself 2,000 feet away (approximately five football fields), you can view the show at a safer level, under 100 dB.
8. Address existing hearing loss promptly
Any existing hearing loss requires prompt action to keep it from advancing. This kind of impairment will not disappear; it only advances. 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 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 fundamental steps are effective and can make a big change, whether your goal is to reduce 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.