Protect your ears this summer - June 2, 2003

Summertime can be a symphony of sound, but not all of those sounds are pleasant. The lawnmowers roaring, firecrackers popping, and power tools buzzing are just as much a part of summer as the birds’ chirping. Unfortunately, they can also cause unseen damage to our hearing.

“Repeated exposure to sounds above 75 decibels can cause hearing damage,” says UT Medical Group neurotologist Dr. Bruce MacDonald. “However, most of us don’t realize that many of the sounds we’re exposed to every day are loud enough to injure our hearing."

Even the average lawnmower, which emits noise at about 90 decibels, can damage unprotected ears.

“Prevention is the best thing you can do to prevent this kind of hearing loss,” says MacDonald. “Inexpensive, over-the-counter earplugs can help to minimize the noise that reaches your inner ear. Some specialty and hardware stores also offer more expensive noise cancellation headsets that protect your ears from the loud noises but still allow you to hear conversation easily. Either one is fine, but you must remember to use them whenever you’re exposed to repeated high levels of noise.”

Keep in mind these tips to minimize your exposure to excessive noise:

• Don’t wear stereo headphones while operating loud power equipment.
While the music may “drown out” some of the machine’s noise, it will also damage your hearing because you have to turn the volume up so high in order to hear it. Stick to earplugs or a headset that is designed to protect the ears from noise.

• Protect your ears in sporting activities.
Many outdoor sporting activities can be excessively loud. Skeet shooting, for instance, can damage your hearing because of the repeated loud gunshots close to your ears. Frequent scuba diving can also cause noise-induced hearing loss.

• Make sure your children are also protected.
Noise-induced hearing loss is irreversible and can get worse over time with repeated exposure to noise. Make sure your children wear appropriate hearing protective devices when needed and monitor their activities. If you can hear the music coming from their headphones, it’s too loud!

• Don’t use cotton balls or tissues in place of earplugs.
They do not provide adequate protection.

• Make sure your ear protection is fitted correctly.
Even the best ear plugs or muffs won’t protect your hearing if they’re not worn properly. Visit the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health by clicking here to learn more about choosing and fitting the right ear protection for your activities.