We are surrounded by noise in our everyday existence. From power tools and road noise to personal audio devices, the world is louder than ever. Such loud conditions can compromise your hearing if awareness is lacking. October is National Protect Your Hearing Month, making it the perfect time to focus on how to preserve this essential 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. The following are eight core recommendations for maintaining your hearing health.
1. Understand noise levels and their impact
Being aware of how loud is too loud is the first step in avoiding hearing damage. The volume of various sounds is measured in decibels (dB), and being exposed to them for extended durations can cause irreversible hearing impairment. Here’s a quick guide:
- 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.
- Over 110 dB: Fireworks, gunshots, explosions – Instant damage can happen after just a few seconds.
Taking a proactive approach to noise awareness can help you steer clear of environments that are dangerous to your ears.
2. Determine sound levels yourself
Want to know the actual volume of your surroundings? Your smartphone offers an easy way to measure these levels. You can download various 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 monitoring tool can enhance your understanding of your surroundings, leading to smarter choices about hearing protection.
3. Keep the volume down on your devices
Listening to music or podcasts at excessive volumes is one of the most common ways people damage their hearing over time. 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. Crucially, keep your earbud volume below 50% of its full potential to protect your hearing. 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. Avoid using music to drown out background noise
For those who reside in loud areas or work in noisy settings, the urge to use headphones to overpower the ambient sound can be strong. However, turning the volume high enough to overpower the noise outside is dangerous for your hearing. A better alternative is to use noise-canceling headphones, as they let you listen to music or podcasts at a significantly lower and safer volume. Should noise-canceling headphones not be an option, simple earplugs serve as a viable alternative.
5. Always use earplugs in noisy settings
Earplugs are absolutely necessary for individuals often in loud settings, such as concerts, sports events, or while using heavy machinery. Since they are small, affordable, and easy to transport, earplugs offer an uncomplicated but powerful method of hearing protection.
Custom-fitted earplugs are offered for those who need them regularly, providing better fit and protection than generic options. You should always use them in all environments that are loud.
6. While at work, follow safety recommendations
critically, if your occupation exposes you to loud machinery or equipment, you must obey the established safety guidelines for auditory 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. Take essential steps to protect yourself by complying with all guidelines and wearing the right protective equipment.
7. Move further away from loud noise
Frequently, the best strategy for safeguarding your ears is merely to step away from the noise. By increasing distance, the sound intensity hitting your ears is lessened, which works to reduce damage. 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.
The example of fireworks is instructive. 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. In contrast, by seating yourself 2,000 feet away (approximately five football fields), you can view the show at a safer level, under 100 dB.
8. Address existing hearing loss promptly
Any existing hearing loss demands prompt action to keep it from advancing. This kind of impairment will not resolve itself; it only gets worse. Statistics show that nearly 1 out of 10 adults in the 55-to-64 age group have considerable hearing loss, and this percentage increases in later years.
Failing to address the first warning signs of auditory loss will only hasten its advancement. It is common for people to wait an average of 7 years longer than they should before seeking a consultation. The sooner you consult with a hearing specialist and consider hearing aids or other treatments, the better your chances of preserving your remaining hearing.
Act now for better hearing
National Protect Your Hearing Month is an excellent reminder to prioritize your hearing health. Whether you’ve already experienced some hearing loss or want to avoid future damage, these straightforward steps can make a big difference.
Schedule a hearing test today and take charge of your hearing health before it’s too late.