Did you know that October is National Protect Your Hearing Month? It’s the time to raise awareness about hearing conservation. Whether you’re using a blower on leaves in your yard or attending a loud football game and tailgate, your ears need to be protected. Exposure to loud sounds can cause hearing damage, sometimes without any pain. The good news is that noise-induced hearing loss is 100% preventable. This month, take the opportunity to protect your hearing.
Why is hearing conservation important? Hearing loss goes beyond hearing sounds; it can affect your relationships, safety, your ability to work, cognitive health, and your emotional well-being. Noise-induced hearing loss can arise from exposure to everyday sounds, including power tools, concerts, earbuds, and noisy workplaces. It can arise from one extremely loud event (like an explosion) or to moderately loud sounds over time. Once the tiny hair cells in our inner ears are damaged, they cannot grow back.
The goal of hearing conservation is to keep those hair cells healthy by limiting exposure to loud sounds and using protective strategies when needed – for October and beyond. Everyday situations can expose us to damaging sound levels. For example, football games and stadium events can go well over 90 dB, and leaf blowers and lawn equipment exceed 85 to 90 dB. Sounds over 70 dB for an extended period can start to affect your hearing, and sounds over 85 dB for prolonged periods or short bursts increase your risk.
To protect your hearing,
- Turn it down. Use the 60/60 rule: no more than 60% volume for no more than 60% of the time.
- Wear hearing protection. Bring earplugs to concerts and loud venues.
- Rest your ears. Seek a quiet space to give your ears a break.
- Use apps to check noise levels. Free apps like NIOSH sound level meter can give you an idea of the noise levels around you.
- Get a baseline hearing test. Schedule an appointment with an audiologist to establish a baseline audiogram so that you can identify changes in your hearing over time.
Talk to your children and grandchildren about safe listening habits, too. Protect your hearing this month by turning down the volume, wearing earplugs, and helping those around you to do the same.
By Laura Gaeta
HLAA-CA Secretary and PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at California State University, Sacramento.
