Boo! Protect Your Hearing from Loud Noises This Halloween

Halloween is just a few days away. While we hope everyone has a fun and festive time, it’s important to note that certain Halloween activities like haunted houses, festivals or parties may increase your risk of noise-induced hearing loss.

Loud Noises Put Your Hearing at Risk

Noise-induced hearing loss occurs when a loud noise harms the hair cells in the inner ear that play an important role in processing sound. Once these cells are damaged, they cannot be regenerated or repaired. Enough damage will lead to permanent hearing loss.

Any prolonged exposure to noise above 85 decibels can damage your hearing. However, the louder the noise, the less time it takes for potential hearing loss to occur. Sounds over 100 decibels (roughly the average volume of a live music concert) can hurt your hearing in under two hours.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss is a Common Risk

Anyone of any age is at risk of noise-induced hearing loss. According to the Centers for Disease Prevention (CDC), it’s estimated that “12.5% of children and adolescents aged 6–19 years and 17% of adults aged 20–69 years have suffered permanent damage to their hearing from excessive exposure to noise.”

Activities that may put you at increased risk include:

• Hunting or shooting
• Riding motorcycles and snowmobiles
• Attending sporting events or concerts at Flat Iron Crossroads
• Listening to music at high volume through earbuds or headphones
• Mowing the lawn
• Using a leaf blower

How To Protect Your Hearing This Halloween and Beyond

While the prospect of noise-induced hearing loss can certainly cause a fright, you can still find ways to protect your hearing and enjoy Halloween activities and other louder events throughout the year.

• Use hearing protection devices (HPDs). Things like earplugs, earmuffs and custom earmolds can effectively keep your ears safe while still allowing you to participate in activities you enjoy. Make sure to find an HPD that fits well and reduces the volume while still allowing you to hear the sounds you want to hear.
• Give your ears a break. Your risk of noise-induced hearing loss increases with the length of your exposure. If you’re at a party or a busy club that is particularly loud, try to step outside or go into a quieter room for a bit to decrease your risk.
• Get a hearing test at the earliest sign of hearing loss. Because hearing loss is often both gradual and progressive, an early diagnosis is key to preventing further damage. If you experience muffled hearing or a ringing in your ears (tinnitus), make an appointment with an audiologist at your earliest convenience.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists, contact The Audiology Offices today.