Is driving with the windows down detrimental to your hearing? Is it more fuel-efficient? Should you go with closed or open windows when you’re driving? Let’s take a new look at these issues.
Picture this: It’s a peaceful early morning, the clock ticking at 7:45 AM. As the freeway stretches out before you, almost empty of traffic, you settle into a leisurely pace of 55 miles per hour, feeling the invigorating wind rush in through your rolled-down windows. On such a beautiful day, running the car’s air conditioner seems unnecessary, doesn’t it? After all, why waste valuable gas?
But the question is: Is driving with the windows rolled down potentially harmful to your ears?
What the research says about driving with open windows
You don’t think it’s very loud. British researchers conducted trials using different types of vehicles, ranging from Mazdas to Aston Martins, during times when there was minimal traffic, traveling at speeds of 50, 60, and 70 miles per hour.
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.
Does this noise level present a danger of irreversible hearing damage?
Exposure to 85 decibels for 8 hours can cause permanent harm to one’s hearing.
Extended exposure to extremely loud noises, such as those exceeding 100 decibels in congested traffic, can cause hearing loss in as little as 15 minutes.
What contributes to increased noise with open windows?
Numerous elements can increase the noise levels even while your vehicle might already seem noisy.
Engine and automobile types
The majority of gasoline-powered engines produce noise as a result of the swift combustion process taking place inside of their cylinders, which is a characteristic of about 80% of automobiles that use gasoline. A slightly quieter ride might be expected in hybrid vehicles or vehicles with smaller 4-cylinder engines. Alternatively, high-performance vehicles like Ferraris can generate more than 100 decibels, particularly in lower gears.
Wind resistance
Air rushing past your vehicle can generate noticeable whistling and whooshing noises, contributing substantially to the total ambient sound, even in cars recognized for their quiet ride. At only 15 MPH, cyclists experience 85 dB of wind noise, and at 60 MPH that volume rises to 120 dB, according to recent research. Given that automobiles experience even greater wind resistance, driving with windows open can indeed impact your hearing.
Traffic magnifies noise
Every car that drives by in multiple lanes adds to the total volume level. Along with the sound of the engine, you are also exposed to the rush of air produced by other vehicles passing by, which contributes to a louder overall environment.
Tips for minimizing risks and promoting safe driving
If you like driving with windows open, consider these steps to minimize hearing loss threats:
- Take breaks during long drives, alternating between windows up and down.
- One way for owners of convertibles to reduce noise exposure is to roll up the windows while leaving the roof open.
- Use smartphone applications to track the levels of noise in normal traffic conditions (avoid using them when driving a vehicle).
- Keep windows up in heavy traffic to minimize extended exposure to loud noises exceeding 100 decibels.
- Refrain from drowning out traffic noise with loud music, as it can exacerbate hearing damage.
- When operating a motorcycle or bicycle, consider obtaining helmets that are especially designed to decrease the effect of traffic noise.
- Regularly monitor your hearing health, particularly if you’ve been habitually driving with windows open.
Essentially, driving with the windows rolled down can expose you to a range of potentially harmful sounds, such as the rumble of the engine and rushing wind, which might pose a risk to your auditory well-being.
Taking steps to protect your ears can help you maintain your hearing while still taking pleasure in the thrill of driving with the windows open.
Get in touch with us today if you are concerned about noise-related hearing loss.