We are surrounded by noise every day, from traffic and lawn equipment to concerts, sporting events, and power tools. "While some sounds are simply annoying, loud noises can damage your ears and lead to hearing loss," says Marco A. Jurado, AuD, FAAA, Audiology at ARC Far West Medical Tower. "Knowing when noise is too loud and when to use ear plugs or other hearing protection can help you preserve your hearing."
How can you tell if a sound is too loud?
Sound is measured in decibels (dB). The louder the sound, the higher the decibel level. But you do not need to measure every sound to know when it may be too loud.
You can tell the sound may be too loud if:
- You have to shout so someone an arm's length away can hear you. As a general rule, if you must raise your voice or shout to be understood over background noise, the environment may be loud enough to require hearing protection.
- Your ears feel full and ring or buzz during or after the noise exposure.
- Sounds seem muffled after you leave a noisy place.
There are also apps you can use with your smartphone or smartwatch to estimate the decibel level where you are.
How can you protect your hearing?
Repeated or prolonged exposure to loud sounds can increase the risk of hearing damage. There are several simple ways to reduce your exposure to loud sounds and protect your hearing:
- Carry ear plugs. Keep ear plugs handy for concerts, sporting events, noisy workplaces, or other situations where sound levels may be high. Foam or custom ear plugs will provide hearing protection and are easy to keep on hand. Learn more about custom ear mold products at ARC.
- Limit noise when possible. Move farther away from the source of loud sound, take breaks from noisy environments, and lower the volume when you can. Noise-canceling headphones may help reduce noise, but they should not be used as a substitute for hearing protection in very loud environments.
- Know the signs of noise overexposure. Pay attention to ringing or buzzing, a sensation of fullness or pressure in your ears, and muffled hearing after exposure to loud sounds. These can be signs that your ears have been exposed to too much noise.
"If you regularly spend time around loud sounds, an audiologist can help you choose the right type of hearing protection," says Dr. Jurado. "We can also evaluate your hearing and discuss options if you already have hearing loss." For people who need hearing aids, hearing protection may still be important in noisy environments.
About ARC Audiology
ARC Audiology provides comprehensive hearing care for children and adults, including hearing evaluations, diagnostic testing, hearing aid fittings, hearing rehabilitation, and hearing protection solutions. ARC audiologists work closely with primary care clinicians and patients to assess hearing concerns and create personalized treatment plans that help improve communication and quality of life.
ARC Audiology pediatric care provides specialized services to identify and manage hearing loss in children. Because hearing plays a critical role in speech and language development, learning, and social-emotional growth, early diagnosis and intervention can make a lasting difference in a child's development and overall well-being.
Schedule an appointment today
Dr. Jurado is accepting new patients of all ages. To make an appointment with Dr. Jurado at ARC Far West Medical Tower in Austin, call 512-272-4636 (512-ARC-INFO) or book through ARC MyChart.