Noise is a constant factor in our daily lives. From lawnmowers and traffic to personal audio devices, the world is louder than ever. This increase in noise can have a detrimental effect on your hearing if you’re not careful. October is National Protect Your Hearing Month, making it the perfect time to focus on how to protect this crucial sense.
How to safeguard your hearing: 8 key methods
Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to protect your ears from the daily noise around you. We present eight vital guidelines to ensure auditory protection.
1. Grasp volume levels and their impact
To begin preventing hearing loss, you must develop an awareness of when noise intensity is dangerously high. Different sounds produce varying decibel (dB) levels, and extended exposure can lead to permanent hearing loss. A fast look is below:
- Lawn mowers and heavy traffic fall into the 85–90 dB range, which is safe for up to 2 hours of exposure.
- 100 dB: Motorcycles, construction machinery – Hearing damage can occur in as little as 15 minutes.
- Noises exceeding 110 dB (e.g., explosions, fireworks) can lead to immediate damage in just seconds.
Taking a preventative approach to noise awareness can help you steer clear of environments that are hazardous to your ears.
2. Measure sound levels yourself
Want to know the actual volume of your surroundings? Your smartphone offers an simple way to measure it. You can download various complimentary sound meter applications to evaluate the noise in your vicinity. To get accurate results, measure from the distance you usually are from the sound source.
Using this application regularly can help you better understand your environment and make informed decisions about protecting your hearing.
3. Keep the volume down on your devices
One of the most frequent causes of gradual hearing damage is enjoying music or podcasts at volumes that are too high. The convenience of headphones and earbuds often comes with hidden risks. For example, many headphones can exceed 100 dB, resulting in hearing loss in just 15 minutes.
Today, over a billion young people are at risk of hearing loss from using earbuds at high volumes. To protect your ears, never turn your earbuds above 50% of their maximum volume. Having to increase the volume past this point to hear indicates that you may already have some hearing damage.
4. Avoid using music to drown out background 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. However, turning the volume high enough to overpower the noise outside is unwise for your hearing. A better alternative is to use noise-canceling headphones, as they let you listen to music or podcasts at a significantly lower and safer volume. Should noise-canceling headphones not be an option, simple earplugs serve as a viable alternative.
5. When in loud settings, use earplugs
Earplugs are absolutely necessary for individuals regularly in loud settings, such as concerts, sports events, or while using heavy machinery. They are small, affordable, and easy to carry, making them a simple but effective tool for hearing protection.
Individuals who require earplugs often can obtain custom-fitted ones, which give superior protection and comfort compared to standard types. You should certainly use them in all environments that are loud.
6. While at work, follow safety recommendations
critically, if your occupation exposes you to loud machinery or equipment, you must ensure you follow the established safety guidelines for auditory protection. Some workplaces may minimize 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. You should protect your hearing by wearing the correct protective gear and abiding by the safety rules.
7. Distance yourself 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.
Consider fireworks as a relevant 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 positioning yourself 2,000 feet away (approximately five football fields), you can view the show at a safer level, under 100 dB.
8. Existing hearing loss needs to be addressed promptly
Should you already be dealing with hearing loss, it is crucial that you take action so it doesn’t progress. This kind of impairment will not resolve itself; it only gets worse. Statistics reveal that nearly 1 out of 10 adults in the 55-to-64 age group have considerable hearing loss, and this percentage increases in later years.
Ignoring the early signs of hearing loss only speeds up its progression. On average, people wait 7 years too long to get treatment. The sooner you consult with a hearing specialist and look into hearing aids or other treatments, the better your chances of preserving your remaining hearing.
Act now for better hearing
National Protect Your Hearing Month is an perfect reminder to focus on your hearing health. These easy-to-follow actions can have a major impact, regardless of whether you’re seeking to prevent future harm or you’ve already suffered some hearing loss.
Schedule a hearing test today and take control of your hearing health before it’s too late.