Protecting Your Ears during Leisure Activities

We all need some “me” time to let go of all our stress and do something we enjoy. This is why we engage in our favorite hobbies, which can be varied, fun, and sometimes rather noisy. It is important to watch out for these noisy hobbies, since they may cost us our hearing.

We are always open to hearing sounds, whether we want to or not. We live in a world that is humming, buzzing, thumping, and pounding constantly with the sounds of everyday life. Our hobbies can sometimes add to this noise, that too at an unsafe level. Extended exposure to unsafe levels of loud noises can damage our hearing.

A hobby that is often popular with those who prefer action oriented hobbies, are motorsports. Be it jet skiing, or zooming through the waters on a speed boat, the noises involved in motorized water vehicles can range above 100dB. Any sound level above 85dB is deemed unsafe for human hearing, which is why spending too much time with unprotected ears while engaging in motor sports can damage your hearing. Always carry a personal set of earplugs along with you to help you protect your ears while you enjoy your favorite motorsports.

A popular hobby of many of us is going to music festivals, concerts, and sporting events. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of an exhilarating live performance, but the sound levels at these events often cross the safety threshold of 85dB by a large extent. Leaving your ears unprotected during these events can endanger them, putting them at risk for developing hearing loss. Protect your ears by stepping out during the concert to give your ears a rest, as well as carrying auditory protection like earplugs.

Many of us find it incredibly therapeutic to go out to a shooting range to shoot a couple of rounds, or even spend some time firing at clay pigeons. The sound of a gun shot ranges well above 100dB and even a single unprotected exposure can be detrimental to your hearing. This is why it is important to always wear ear muffs before engaging in any sport involving firearms.

Another hobby that is rather loud is carpentry. While many of us find it fun to come up with new carpentry projects to give our old furniture a makeover or help others out with their carpentry work, be sure to protect your ears first. The sound of a chain saw, drill, and other electronic equipment can be dangerously loud, resulting in permanent hearing loss. Always wear ear muffs or ear plugs before engaging in noisy carpentry work involving power tools.

Hearing loss is an irreversible condition. It is best to take care of your hearing while you still have it. Always engage in regular auditory protection before participating in your favorite hobby.