How to Protect Your Hearing While Still Enjoying Your Favorite Activities
What do concerts, football games, ATVs, fireworks, motorsports, and hunting all have in common? They can harm your hearing.
Unfortunately, many of our favorite pastimes can expose us to sound levels that exceed what is considered safe for our ears. The good news is that you don’t have to choose between protecting your hearing and enjoying the activities you love. With the right precautions, you can continue participating in your favorite hobbies while reducing your risk of hearing damage.
When Is Sound Too Loud?
Sound is measured using a scale called decibels (dB). The decibel scale ranges from 0 dB, which is the threshold of human hearing, to 150 dB and beyond, which represents extremely loud noise.
Sounds that exceed 85 dB—about the level of busy city traffic—can begin to damage hearing over time with repeated exposure. Sounds above 120 dB, such as a jet plane taking off, can cause hearing damage after just a single exposure.
How Loud Are Your Favorite Activities?
- Concerts or live music: 90–120 dB
- Football or baseball games: 90–110 dB
- Riding ATVs: 85–95 dB
- Fireworks: 145–175 dB
- Motorsports: 100–150 dB
- Hunting or target shooting: 140–175 dB
As you can see, many popular recreational activities expose you to sound levels that can potentially cause permanent hearing damage.
Hearing Protection Options
Custom-fit hearing protection is one of the best ways to keep your ears safe while still enjoying loud activities. Unlike standard foam earplugs that can feel uncomfortable and may slip out, custom hearing protection is designed specifically for the shape of your ears, providing a secure and comfortable fit.
There are several types of hearing protection available depending on your lifestyle and hearing needs:
- Custom earmolds
- Custom earplugs
- In-ear monitors
- Musician earplugs for concerts and performances
- Protective earmuffs
Additional Ways to Protect Your Hearing
In addition to wearing hearing protection, these simple habits can help reduce your risk of noise-induced hearing loss:
- Stand farther away from loud sound sources whenever possible.
- Take regular listening breaks during noisy activities.
- Keep headphone and earbud volumes at safe levels.
- Follow the 60/60 rule: listen at no more than 60% of maximum volume for no longer than 60 minutes at a time.
- Schedule regular hearing evaluations to monitor your hearing health.
Following these tips can help lower your risk of developing noise-induced hearing loss while allowing you to continue enjoying the activities you love.
Hearing Unlimited offers a full range of hearing protection solutions tailored to your needs and preferences. Visit one of our offices in Monroeville, Pittsburgh, or Clairton to explore your options and take a proactive approach to protecting your hearing.