The Sound of Silence is the title of an old song, but not something we associate with during the summertime. Instead, it’s lots of leaf blowers, fireworks, and lawn mowers. Noise, noise, and more noise; not so silent, and not so beneficial for our hearing. How to protect your hearing from the sounds of summer.
Seeking Safe Decibels In Summer
Sounds are measured in decibels, and anything over 100 is too loud and can potentially damage your hearing. So how do you
know when something is too loud? Since we spend a lot of time outdoors as the weather gets warmer, there are countless sounds everywhere. Many of them are dangerous whether we are young or old. It’s called “noise-induced hearing loss.”
The damage to our hearing is based on both intensity and duration. Keep you and your family safe from hearing loss, and pay attention to summer sounds that are just plainly too loud.
Baseball Games
“Take me out to the ballgame” is a fun activity, especially if your team is winning. But…the sounds of the crowd, music, and fireworks afterward can be more than your ears can take. One study found that the decibel levels at major league games averaged 94dB but could go up to 114dB. Bring earplugs for you and your children.
Motorcycles
What fun to be on a motorcycle in the summer! Without a helmet the sound of the wind and the motor can reach 103dB. That is louder than a chainsaw.
How about a speedboat? The sound of the wind and engine can reach the same decibels. If you are exposed to just 15 minutes of 115 dB, you can damage your hearing for life.
Outdoor Concerts
This has got to be one of our favorite pastimes. One simple clue that it’s too loud is if you must shout to be heard. Move away from the speakers and bring your earplugs to stay safe.
Target Practice
With more people having guns for sport and protection, this is extremely dangerous. Pay attention, firearms create noise levels at 140 dB. This will cause immediate hearing loss. The more protection you have, all the better.
Road Work And Construction
When does your town work on the roads? Of course, during the summer. The sounds of construction, drilling, power tools and road work are everywhere. 80 to 90dB is common.
Other dangerous sounds include:
- Fireworks at more than 150dB. Watch from afar and wear ear protection if too close.
- Sound from landscaping and lawn care with mowers and blowers can reach 80 to 105dB.
- Sirens at 110 to 129dB.
Enjoy the summer but contact David S. Oliver, MD FACS at Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat for a hearing test if you notice any new or worsening issues.