Noise is a ubiquitous factor in our daily lives. Our surroundings—from commute sounds and lawnmowers to music via personal audio devices—is increasingly loud. The expanding volume of sound poses a serious risk to your auditory health unless you take measures. The observance of National Protect Your Hearing Month in October provides the best opportunity to prioritize the conservation of this fundamental sense.
How to safeguard your hearing: 8 key methods
Fortunately, there are straightforward steps you can take to guard your hearing from the everyday noise around you. Here are eight top tips to secure your hearing.
1. Understand volume levels and their impact
The initial action for averting auditory damage is to determine when a sound level becomes hazardous. Varying noises generate different decibel (dB) measurements; spending too much time around loud ones can result in permanent hearing damage. Consult this brief summary:
- Sounds like heavy traffic or lawn mowers (85–90 dB) can be tolerated safely for a maximum of 2 hours.
- 100 dB: Motorcycles, construction machinery – Hearing damage can occur in as little as 15 minutes.
- Instant damage is possible after merely a few seconds of exposure to noises over 110 dB, like explosions, gunshots, or fireworks.
A anticipatory mindset regarding noise levels enables you to keep away from environments that are detrimental for your hearing.
2. Measure sound levels yourself
Are you interested in finding out the true loudness of your environment? A smartphone makes measuring sound levels effortless. You can download various complimentary sound meter applications to evaluate the noise in your vicinity. For the most precise results, ensure you measure the sound from your usual distance to the source.
Using this tool regularly can help you better interpret your environment and make educated decisions about protecting your hearing.
3. Don’t crank up the volume 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. Many headphones, for instance, are capable of reaching volumes over 100 dB, which means hearing loss can occur in as little as 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 be safe, keep your earbud volume below 50% of its full level to protect your hearing. Having 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
If you live in a noisy neighborhood or frequently work in loud environments, it might be enticing to use headphones to block out the background sound. But cranking up the volume to overpower outside noise is harmful. The preferred solution is noise-canceling headphones, which permit listening to media at a much reduced and safer volume. Should noise-canceling headphones not be an option, simple earplugs are a viable alternative.
5. Always use earplugs in noisy environments
Whether you are at a concert, a sports event, or operating loud machinery, earplugs are crucial for those often exposed to loud environments. They are small, affordable, and easy to carry, making them a straightforward but effective tool for hearing protection.
If you use them often, custom-fitted earplugs can be obtained, offering enhanced protection and a better fit than off-the-shelf versions. Never fail to use earplugs when you are in a noisy location.
6. Follow safety guidelines at work
If your job requires being around loud equipment or machinery, always adhere to safety protocols regarding hearing protection. Be wary because some jobs may discount the risks; individuals claiming “it’s not that loud” could be suffering from major hearing loss and thus misjudging the true noise level. Take essential steps to protect yourself by complying with all guidelines and wearing the right protective equipment.
7. Move further away from loud noise
Often, the best strategy for safeguarding your ears is merely to put distance between yourself and the noise. By increasing distance, the sound intensity reaching your ears is lessened, which helps reduce 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 perfect 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 experience the show at a safer level, under 100 dB.
8. Existing hearing loss needs to be addressed promptly
Any existing hearing loss demands prompt action to keep it from escalating. 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 increase dramatically in older age.
Ignoring the early indicators of hearing loss only accelerates its progression. Usually, individuals delay seeking treatment by a full 7 years. Your ability to protect the hearing you still have is improved the earlier you see a hearing specialist to review options like hearing aids.
Act now for better hearing
The observance of National Protect Your Hearing Month is an opportune time to place a high value on your auditory well-being. Whether you’ve already experienced some hearing loss or want to prevent future damage, these straightforward steps can make a big difference.
Don’t delay—book a hearing test now and assume control over your hearing health before the opportunity is gone.