Summer is a time to spend outdoors, whether that’s swimming, camping or attending the Maha Festival in Omaha. However, certain outdoor activities can reach volumes that put you at risk of developing issues like tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss.
Let’s take a look at a few ways to protect your hearing outdoors and keep your ears safe.
Loud Noise and Hearing Loss Risk
While you probably know that extremely loud noises aren’t good for your ears, you might not be aware of the exact volume at which damage can start to occur.
Prolonged exposure to 85 decibels (dB) or higher can be enough to cause noise-induced hearing loss. For context, 85 dB is roughly the equivalent of city traffic. The louder the noise, the less time it takes for damage to occur. Volumes louder than 100 dB can start causing damage in as little as 15 minutes.
Outdoor Activities That Require Hearing Protection
Many popular outdoor activities can reach volumes exceeding 85 dB, including, but not limited to:
- Hunting or shooting
- Riding motorcycles, jet skis or ATVs
- Music festivals
- Sporting events
- Firework shows
- Outdoor chores like mowing the lawn
How Common Is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?
Unfortunately, because so many everyday activities can put your hearing at risk, noise-induced hearing loss is a common problem that affects all age groups.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “An estimated 12.5% of children and adolescents aged 6–19 years (approximately 5.2 million) and 17% of adults aged 20–69 years (approximately 26 million) have suffered permanent damage to their hearing from excessive exposure to noise.”
Protecting Yourself from Hearing Loss
You don’t need to stop engaging in these activities to keep your hearing safe; you just need to take the appropriate steps to protect your ears.
- Wear hearing protection. Earplugs and earmuffs can help lower the volume to a safe range while still letting you enjoy your favorite outdoor activities.
- Take breaks. It’s a good idea to step away from the noise and go to quieter locations to give your ears a break. It’s especially important if you’re noticing symptoms like ear pain, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or a headache from the sound.
- Visit a hearing specialist if problems arise. The sooner hearing loss or tinnitus can be evaluated by a hearing specialist, the better. In some cases, issues that arise from loud noise exposure may be temporary. Other times, you may have permanent hearing loss that can be treated with hearing aids or other assistive listening devices.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment with one of our expert providers, call Ear Specialists of Omaha & Bellevue today.