Can driving with open windows cause irreversible damage to your hearing? Does it save on gas? Should you drive with your windows up or down? Let’s take a fresh look at these issues.
Picture this: It’s a peaceful early morning, the clock ticking at 7:45 AM. With the highway almost deserted, you travel along at a relaxed 55 MPH, enjoying the refreshing breeze through your open windows. On such a picturesque day, using the car’s air conditioner seems excessive, doesn’t it? What’s the point of wasting valuable gas?
But the question is: Is driving with the windows rolled down potentially harmful to your ears?
What the research indicates about driving with open windows
You don’t think it’s very loud. Researchers in the UK carried out experiments with numerous vehicles, from Mazdas to Aston Martins, during non-peak hours at speeds of 50, 60, and 70 MPH.
The researchers’ results were uniform: regardless of the type of vehicle or its speed, driving with the windows open subjected the driver to a nearly continuous sound level of at least 89 decibels.
Could this level of noise create a danger of causing lasting damage to one’s hearing?
Indeed, exposure to 85 decibels over an 8-hour period can result in permanent hearing loss.
In congested traffic conditions where exposure surpasses 100 decibels, hearing damage can occur within a mere 15 minutes.
What factors contribute increased noise with open windows?
Various aspects can boost the noise levels even while your vehicle may already seem noisy.
Engine and automobile types
The majority of gasoline-powered engines generate noise because of the swift combustion process happening within their cylinders, which is a characteristic of about 80% of vehicles that use gasoline. A somewhat quieter ride might be expected in hybrid vehicles or vehicles with smaller 4-cylinder engines. On the other hand, sports cars such as Ferraris are capable of over 100 decibels of noise, particularly when operating in lower gears.
Resistance to Wind
The whooshing and whistling sounds caused by wind passing over your vehicle can considerably add to the total noise level, even in relatively quiet cars. Studies have revealed that bicyclists encounter about 85 decibels of wind resistance at only 15 MPH, escalating to 120 decibels at 60 MPH. Given that cars experience even more wind resistance, driving with windows down can indeed impact your hearing.
Traffic amplifies noise
Every passing vehicle, even on multi-lane freeways, adds to noise amplification. In addition to the noise of the engine, you are also exposed to the rush of air created by other cars passing by, which contributes to a louder overall environment.
Tips for decreasing risks and promoting safe driving
Reduce the risk of hearing loss while driving with windows open by following these guidelines.
- Take breaks during long drives, alternating between windows open and closed.
- For convertible drivers, closing the windows while keeping the top down can reduce sound to safer volumes.
- Use smartphone applications to track the levels of noise in typical traffic situations (avoid utilizing them when operating a vehicle).
- Keep windows up in heavy traffic to minimize prolonged exposure to loud noises exceeding 100 decibels.
- To protect your hearing, refrain from blasting music to mask traffic sounds.
- When operating a motorcycle or bicycle, think about purchasing helmets that are especially designed to decrease the impact of traffic noise.
- Regularly monitor your hearing health, especially if you’ve been habitually driving with windows open.
Essentially, driving with the windows open can subject you to a variety of potentially damaging sounds, such as the roar of the engine and rushing wind, which may pose a risk to your auditory health.
By embracing precautionary precaustions, you can protect your hearing while enjoying the freedom of open-road driving.
If you are worried about hearing loss caused by noise, please get in touch with us today.