Be honest. When was the last time you saw a young person on the street, or anywhere, without earbuds in their ears? Whether it’s walking down the street, jogging, on their way to work, or just relaxing, they are distracted by the noise in their ears. As technology improves, so does noise induced hearing loss. It’s just a fact, which leads us to the question: how can teens avoid noise induced hearing loss. Continue reading “How Can Teens Avoid Noise Induced Hearing Loss”
Category: Hearing
How to Protect Your Hearing From The Sounds of Summer
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.
Reviewed by the board-certified ENTs doctors at Coastal Ear, Nose & Throat
Still have questions? Ask one of our ENT doctors!
How to Preserve and Protect Your Hearing As You Grow Older
If you have ever attended a large rock concert, you know how it affects your hearing. You probably enjoyed the music, but it takes a while to recover your normal hearing. That should be your first clue. High volume is detrimental to your hearing. If you are around loud music, machinery, or excessive environmental noises for any length of time, you are doing damage to your hearing no matter your age. Let’s consider how to preserve and protect your hearing as you grow older.
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The Connection Between Diabetes and Hearing Loss
You may already know that among the many issues that can cause hearing loss, getting older is significant, it can be genetic and run in families, or it can occur if you are commonly around very loud noises. You might be surprised to learn about the connection between diabetes and hearing loss. We will explain.
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The Difference Between Buying a Hearing Aid From an Audiologist vs. Drug Store
When a person finally accepts that their hearing loss is affecting their everyday life including their work environment, personal relationships, and self esteem, it is crucial that they choose the right kind. The difference between buying a hearing aid from an audiologist vs. drug store can leave someone unsure. Let us help you sift through all the information.
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6 Reasons to Have Your Hearing Tested Regularly
Most hearing loss is subtle at first, and you may not even notice a change. In fact, it is usually friends and family who alert someone to their hearing issue. Although children are regularly tested, most adults do not even think about scheduling a hearing test like they would their vision. We have listed 6 reasons to have your hearing tested regularly.
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Can Headphones and Earbuds Cause Hearing Loss?
Rarely do we see a young adult in public without an earbud in their ears. Headphones are a bit more cumbersome, but teens still find them a way to escape from their surroundings. We all enjoy listening to music no matter our age, but younger people rely on music to pass the time. So, can headphones cause hearing loss since they are so close to our ears? It’s not the device itself, but how we use it.
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Your Guide To Managing Hearing Loss
Many audiologists will tell you stories of patients who took years to finally admit they had a hearing issue. When they finally got hearing aids, their entire life changed for the better. 30 million people in the United States have some degree of hearing loss. Knowing you are not alone can be the first step to acknowledging your own hearing issues and taking action. What follows is your guide to managing hearing loss.
Hearing Loss May Increase Your Risk Of Dementia
Most of us know someone who has hearing loss. Maybe even you. Many people still deny the reality while others have purchased new hearing aids. What you probably don’t know is that hearing loss may increase your risk of dementia. Let’s find out why and what you can do about it.
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Why Your Child Should Have A Back To School Hearing Exam
Many of our children are heading back to school for the first time in a while. They have been practicing at-home learning online for months, and they are about to step back into a classroom with all its assorted noises and distractions. In addition, some teachers and classmates will be wearing masks which can hinder how well kids hear what others are saying. These reasons are just the surface of why your child should have a back to school hearing exam.
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