Acoustic interference is an perpetual feature of modern life. Whether it’s lawnmowers, vehicles, or our own headphones, the aural world has intensified. Such loud conditions can compromise your hearing if awareness is lacking. The observance of National Protect Your Hearing Month in October provides the perfect opportunity to focus on the maintenance of this fundamental sense.
8 tips to protect your hearing
It’s a relief that uncomplicated actions can be implemented to defend your ears from the constant noise you encounter daily. Here are eight essential tips to secure your hearing.
1. Grasp noise levels and their impact
To begin preventing hearing loss, you must know when noise intensity is dangerously high. The volume of various sounds is measured in decibels (dB), and being exposed to them for too long can cause lasting hearing impairment. A fast look is below:
- 85–90 dB: Lawn mowers, heavy traffic – Safe for up to 2 hours of exposure.
- At 100 dB (e.g., motorcycles, construction machinery), hearing damage can begin after only 15 minutes.
- Instant damage is possible after merely a few seconds of exposure to noises over 110 dB, like explosions, gunshots, or fireworks.
A forward-thinking mindset regarding noise levels enables you to prevent environments that are unsafe for your hearing.
2. Check sound levels yourself
Are you interested in discovering the true loudness of your environment? Your smartphone offers an convenient way to measure these levels. You can download a range of 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.
Regular use of this app can improve your understanding of your surroundings, leading to smarter choices about hearing protection.
3. Don’t crank up the volume on your devices
One of the most frequent causes of long-term hearing damage is enjoying music or podcasts at volumes that are too high. Headphones and earbuds, while convenient, frequently carry unrecognized dangers. For example, many headphones can exceed 100 dB, resulting in hearing loss in just 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. You should never set the volume on your earbuds higher than 50% of the maximum capacity if you want to safeguard your ears. 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
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. It is in fact 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. Should noise-canceling headphones not be an option, simple earplugs serve as a viable alternative.
5. Always utilize earplugs in noisy settings
For anyone regularly attending loud environments—whether at concerts, sporting events, or while operating heavy machinery—earplugs are a must. Since they are small, affordable, and easy to transport, earplugs offer an uncomplicated but powerful means of hearing protection.
Custom-fitted earplugs are available for those who need them regularly, providing better comfort and protection than generic options. In any loud setting, don’t forget to use them.
6. While at work, follow safety guidelines
If your job requires being around loud equipment or machinery, always adhere to safety protocols regarding hearing protection. While some employers may underestimate the danger, those who insist “it’s not that loud” might already have serious hearing damage and be unaware of the actual volume. Protect yourself by following guidelines and wearing appropriate protective equipment.
7. Move further away from loud noise
The simplest means of hearing protection can often be just moving back from the source of the loud sound. The advantage of distance is that it lessens the sound’s intensity before it reaches your ears, thus serving to minimize the risk of harm. 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.
The example of fireworks demonstrates this well. While a firework explosion registers at 150 dB, if you are close to where it launches, the sound can still surpass 120 dB, which can cause instant harm. In contrast, by seating yourself 2,000 feet away (approximately five football fields), you can experience the show at a safer level, under 100 dB.
8. Address existing hearing loss promptly
If you’ve already noticed hearing loss, it’s essential to act before it worsens. Hearing loss doesn’t go away on its own; it progresses. Nearly 1 in 10 adults between the ages of 55 and 64 has noticeable hearing loss, and those numbers rise sharply in older age.
Failing to address the first indications of auditory loss will only hasten its advancement. Usually, individuals delay seeking treatment by a full 7 years. By consulting a hearing specialist without delay and exploring treatments such as hearing aids, you maximize the potential for retaining your existing hearing.
Take action today
The observance of National Protect Your Hearing Month serves as an great time to place a high value on your auditory well-being. These fundamental steps are useful and can make a big change, whether your goal is to reduce existing hearing loss or stop it from happening.
Schedule a hearing test today and take control of your hearing health before it’s too late.