We are constantly exposed to noise in our everyday existence. Whether it’s gardening equipment, vehicles, or our own headphones, the auditory world has intensified. Such loud conditions can negatively impact your hearing if awareness is lacking. October is National Protect Your Hearing Month, making it the perfect time to emphasize how to preserve this crucial sense.
8 actionable steps to protect your hearing
Fortunately, there are easy steps you can take to guard your hearing from the daily noise around you. The following are eight primary pointers for protecting your hearing health.
1. Become familiar with volume levels and their impact
To begin curbing hearing loss, you must know when noise intensity is too loud to tolerate. Varying noises generate different decibel (dB) measurements; spending too much time around loud ones can result in unrecoverable hearing damage. 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.
- Exposure to 100 dB sounds, such as those from construction equipment or motorcycles, risks hearing damage in only 15 minutes.
- Over 110 dB: Fireworks, gunshots, explosions – Instant damage can happen after just a few seconds.
Taking a proactive approach to noise recognition can help you steer clear of environments that are hazardous to your ears.
2. Check sound levels yourself
Are you interested in discovering the true loudness of your environment? You can easily measure it using your smartphone. There are many free applications that function as sound meters, allowing you to assess surrounding noise levels. For the most precise results, ensure you measure the sound from your usual distance to the source.
Using this application regularly can help you better understand your environment and make informed decisions about protecting your hearing.
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 an amplified level. Headphones and earbuds, while convenient, frequently carry understated dangers. It’s noteworthy that numerous headphones can reach 100 dB, a level that can induce hearing loss in only 15 minutes of use.
Current data suggests that more than a billion young individuals face the threat of hearing impairment due to excessive earbud use. You should never set the volume on your earbuds higher than 50% of the maximum capacity if you want to safeguard your ears. If you find yourself turning the volume up just to be able to hear, it likely means some degree of hearing loss has already occurred.
4. Never try to use music to drown out loud noise
When situated in a noisy environment or residing in a loud neighborhood, you may be tempted to use headphones to mask the surrounding noise. But cranking up the volume to overpower outside noise is harmful. Opt instead for noise-canceling headphones; these devices make it possible to listen to your music or podcasts at a much reduced, safer level. In the absence of noise-canceling headphones, using earplugs is an effective substitute.
5. When in noisy settings, use earplugs
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 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. In any loud setting, don’t hesitate to use them.
6. While at work, follow safety recommendations
If your job requires being around loud equipment or machinery, always follow safety protocols regarding hearing protection. Some workplaces may undervalue the risks, but those who claim “it’s not that loud” may already have considerable hearing loss and don’t perceive the current noise levels. You should protect your hearing by using the correct protective gear and sticking to the safety rules.
7. Move further away from loud noise
Often, the best strategy for safeguarding your ears is merely to step away from the noise. The benefit of distance is that it lessens the sound’s intensity before it reaches your ears, thus serving to minimize the risk of harm. To illustrate, moving 20 feet back from a 110 dB sound source can lower the level to about 100 dB, which is safe for 15 minutes of 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 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
Should you already be dealing with hearing loss, it is crucial that you take action so it doesn’t progress. Hearing loss doesn’t go away on its own; it progresses. Statistics show that nearly 1 out of 10 adults in the 55-to-64 age group have considerable hearing loss, and this percentage jumps in later years.
Ignoring the early indicators of hearing loss only accelerates its progression. Typically, individuals delay seeking professional assistance by a full 7 years. The sooner you consult with a hearing specialist and consider hearing aids or other treatments, the better your chances of preserving your remaining hearing.
Start protecting your hearing now
National Protect Your Hearing Month is an perfect reminder to focus on your hearing health. These basic steps are effective and can make a big change, whether your goal is to mitigate existing hearing loss or stop future impairment.
To avoid future regret, arrange a hearing test immediately and take responsibility for your auditory health.
