We are surrounded by noise in our everyday existence. Whether it’s lawnmowers, vehicles, or our own headphones, the auditory world has intensified. This increase in noise can have a harmful effect on your hearing if you’re not careful. The observance of National Protect Your Hearing Month in October provides the best opportunity to prioritize the conservation of this fundamental sense.
How to preserve your hearing: 8 key methods
Fortunately, there are straightforward steps you can take to guard your hearing from the everyday noise around you. The following are eight primary pointers for maintaining 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. Diverse noises generate different decibel (dB) measurements; spending too much time around loud ones can result in unrecoverable hearing damage. A fast summary is below:
- 85–90 dB: Lawn mowers, heavy traffic – Safe for up to 2 hours of exposure.
- 100 dB: Motorcycles, construction machinery – Hearing damage can occur in as little as 15 minutes.
- Instant damage is possible after merely a few seconds of exposure to noises over 110 dB, like explosions, gunshots, or fireworks.
By being vigilant about how loud your surroundings are, you can effectively stay away from places that are harmful to your auditory health.
2. Measure sound levels yourself
Curious about how loud your environment really is? Your smartphone offers an easy way to measure it. You can download a range of complimentary sound meter applications to monitor the noise in your vicinity. The key to getting reliable data is to take the measurement from the distance you normally maintain from the origin of the sound.
If you use this measuring method consistently, you’ll gain a clearer insight into your environment and be equipped to make sound choices to guard your hearing.
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.
Today, over a billion young people are at risk of hearing loss from using earbuds at high volumes. You should never set the volume on your earbuds higher than 50% of the maximum capacity if you want to preserve your ears. If you find yourself turning the volume up beyond this limit, it likely means some degree of hearing loss has already occurred.
4. Avoid using music to drown out background noise
When working in a noisy environment or living in a loud neighborhood, you may be tempted to use headphones to mask the surrounding noise. However, turning the volume high enough to overpower the noise outside is unwise for your hearing. Opt instead for noise-canceling headphones; these devices make it possible to listen to your music or podcasts at a much reduced, safer level. Should noise-canceling headphones not be an option, simple earplugs are a viable alternative.
5. When in loud environments, use earplugs
Earplugs are absolutely necessary for individuals often in loud settings, such as concerts, sports events, or while using heavy machinery. 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 be reluctant to use them.
6. Adhere to safety recomendations at work
Crucially, if your occupation exposes you to loud machinery or equipment, you must ensure you follow the established safety guidelines for auditory protection. While some employers may disregard 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 adhering to guidelines and wearing suitable protective equipment.
7. Distance yourself from loud noise
Sometimes the best way to protect your ears is simply to increase the space from the noise source. The advantage of distance is that it decreases the sound’s intensity before it reaches your ears, thus helping 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.
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. In contrast, by positioning yourself 2,000 feet away (approximately five football fields), you can view the show at a safer level, under 100 dB.
8. Existing hearing loss needs to be addressed promptly
Any existing hearing loss requires prompt action to keep it from escalating. Hearing loss doesn’t go away on its own; it progresses. Nearly 1 in 10 adults between the ages of 55 and 64 has significant hearing loss, and those numbers rise sharply in older age.
Ignoring the early signs of hearing loss only speeds up its progression. Typically, individuals delay seeking treatment by a full 7 years. By consulting a hearing specialist sooner and exploring treatments such as hearing aids, you maximize the potential for maintaining your existing hearing.
Act now for better hearing
National Protect Your Hearing Month is an ideal reminder to focus on your hearing health. Whether you’ve already experienced some hearing loss or want to prevent 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.