Noise is a constant factor in our daily lives. Our environment—from commute sounds and lawnmowers to music via personal audio devices—is increasingly loud. The growing volume of sound poses a serious risk to your auditory health unless you take measures. October is National Protect Your Hearing Month, making it the perfect time to focus on how to preserve this crucial sense.
8 actionable steps to protect your hearing
It’s a relief that uncomplicated actions can be implemented to shield your ears from the constant noise you encounter daily. We present eight crucial guidelines to ensure auditory protection.
1. Become familiar with noise levels and their affect
Being conscious of how loud is too loud is the first step in preventing hearing damage. The volume of various sounds is measured in decibels (dB), and being exposed to them for too long can cause irreversible hearing impairment. 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.
Taking a preventative approach to noise recognition can help you avoid environments that are hazardous to your ears.
2. Measure sound levels yourself
Want to know the actual volume of your surroundings? Your smartphone offers an convenient way to measure these levels. There are many free applications that act as sound meters, enabling you to assess surrounding noise levels. The key to getting reliable data is to take the measurement from the distance you usually maintain from the origin of the sound.
Using this application regularly can help you better grasp your environment and make educated decisions about protecting your hearing.
3. Keep the volume down on your devices
A significant way people harm their hearing over time is by using their devices at loud volume settings. 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. 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. Never try to use music to drown out loud noise
When working 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 detrimental. The preferred solution is noise-canceling headphones, which permit listening to media at a greatly reduced and safer volume. Should noise-canceling headphones not be an option, simple earplugs serve as a viable alternative.
5. Always use earplugs in loud environments
Earplugs are essential for individuals often in loud settings, such as concerts, sports events, or while using heavy machinery. They are a very effective yet simple hearing protection solution, being compact, inexpensive, and portable.
If you use them often, custom-fitted earplugs can be purchased, offering enhanced protection and a better fit than off-the-shelf versions. In any loud setting, don’t be reluctant to use them.
6. While at work, follow safety guidelines
If your job involves being around loud equipment or machinery, always adhere to safety protocols regarding hearing protection. Be cautious because some jobs may ignore the risks; individuals claiming “it’s not that loud” could be suffering from substantial hearing loss and thus misjudging the true noise level. It is vital to protect your hearing by wearing the necessary protective gear and abiding by the safety rules.
7. Distance yourself from loud noise
Sometimes the best way to protect your ears is simply to move away from the noise source. The benefit of distance is that it decreases the sound’s intensity before it reaches your ears, thus helping to minimize the risk of harm. As an illustration, a noise source at 110 dB will be reduced to roughly 100 dB if you stand 20 feet away—a level that allows for up to 15 minutes of safe 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 positioning 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
Any existing hearing loss requires prompt action to keep it from advancing. 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 serious hearing loss, and this percentage jumps in later years.
Failing to address the first warning signs of auditory loss will only hasten its advancement. Typically, individuals delay seeking treatment by a full 7 years. The sooner you consult with a hearing specialist and explore hearing aids or other treatments, the better your chances of saving your remaining 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 easy-to-follow actions can have a major impact, regardless of whether you’re seeking to prevent future harm or you’ve already experienced some hearing loss.
Don’t delay—book a hearing test now and gain control over your hearing health before the opportunity is gone.
