Acoustic interference is an unavoidable element of modern life. Whether it’s gardening equipment, heavy traffic, or our own headphones, the auditory world has intensified. Without proper care, this higher level of noise can cause damage to your sense of hearing. As October marks National Protect Your Hearing Month, it serves as an opportune period to review how to safeguard this important sense.
How to shield your hearing: 8 key methods
Luckily, some effortless measures exist that allow you to insulate your hearing from common environmental sounds. We present eight vital pieces of advice to ensure auditory protection.
1. Become familiar with volume levels and their impact
Being conscious of how loud is too loud is the first 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:
- 85–90 dB: Lawn mowers, heavy traffic – 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.
A forward-thinking mindset regarding noise levels enables you to prevent environments that are detrimental for your hearing.
2. Measure sound levels yourself
Curious about how loud your environment really is? A smartphone makes measuring sound levels effortless. Several no-cost sound meter apps are accessible, allowing you to check noise levels around you. The key to getting exact data is to take the measurement from the distance you usually maintain from the origin of the sound.
Regular use of this monitoring tool can enhance your understanding of your surroundings, leading to smarter choices about hearing protection.
3. Don’t crank up the volume on your devices
A significant way people harm their hearing over time is by using their devices at loud volume settings. 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.
Today, over a billion young people are at risk of hearing loss from using earbuds at high volumes. To be safe, keep your earbud volume below 50% of its full potential to protect your hearing. If you find yourself turning the volume up beyond this limit, it likely means some degree of hearing loss has already occurred.
4. Never try to use music to drown out loud noise
If you reside in a noisy neighborhood or frequently work in loud environments, it might be enticing to use headphones to block out the background sound. It is actually harmful to increase the volume too high just to override outside noise. 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. Always use earplugs in loud environments
For anyone frequently exposed loud environments—whether at concerts, sporting events, or while operating heavy machinery—earplugs are a must. They are small, affordable, and easy to carry, making them a straightforward but effective tool for hearing protection.
Individuals who use earplugs often can get 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. Adhere to safety guidelines at work
When your work necessitates being near loud machinery or equipment, you must diligently follow all safety procedures for hearing protection. While some employers may disregard the danger, those who insist “it’s not that loud” might already have noticeable hearing damage and be unaware of the actual volume. Take necessary steps to protect yourself by complying with all guidelines and wearing the designated protective equipment.
7. Distance yourself from loud noise
Often, the best strategy for safeguarding your ears is merely to put distance between yourself and the noise. Distance lowers the intensity of sound impacting your ears, thereby minimize damage. For example, standing 20 feet away from a noise source producing 110 dB reduces it to around 100 dB—safe for up to 15 minutes of exposure.
Consider fireworks as a perfect illustration. A firework exploding at 150 dB may seem far away, but if you’re near the launch site, the noise can still go beyond 120 dB, causing instant damage. You can nonetheless enjoy the display at a safer level, below 100 dB, by being 2,000 feet away (the length of about five football fields).
8. Existing hearing loss needs to be addressed promptly
It’s key to take steps as soon as possible if you have some degree of hearing loss to prevent further deterioration. Auditory impairment is not self-reversing; it will progress. Nearly 1 in 10 adults between the ages of 55 and 64 has significant hearing loss, and those numbers rise sharply in older age.
When initial signs of hearing loss are ignored, it only causes the condition to progress faster. Usually, individuals delay seeking professional assistance by a full 7 years. The sooner you consult with a hearing specialist and look into hearing aids or other treatments, the better your chances of saving your remaining hearing.
Act now for better hearing
National Protect Your Hearing Month is an excellent reminder to focus on your hearing health. Whether you’ve already experienced some hearing loss or want to prevent future damage, these straightforward steps can make a big difference.
To avoid future regret, set up a hearing test today and take responsibility for your auditory health.
