Cheering your favorite team on a game day can be exciting, but it might present a risk to your hearing health. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how sports events could potentially cause hearing damage and how you can protect your ears during these noisy outings. As professionals in hearing care, CRM Audiology is dedicated to providing expert advice on preserving and enhancing your hearing health.
Importance of Ear Protection at Sports Events
Sports events, with their screaming fans and loud music blaring, often reach high decibel levels. Prolonged exposure to this level of noise can result in hearing damage ranging from temporary hearing loss to permanent hearing impairment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to sound levels over 85 decibels for extended periods can lead to significant hearing loss.
Types of Hearing Protection
There’re various methods to protect your hearing during loud sports events. Foam earplugs, silicone earplugs, and noise reduction headphones are a few options. Each has its own advantages and potential downsides, but all aim to reduce noise levels reaching your ears. Customized hearing protection devices, available from audiologists, offer better protection as they are tailor-made to fit the unique shape of your ear and offer maximum noise reduction.
When to Use Hearing Protection
It’s vital to protect your hearing not just during the main event but also in crowded pre- and post-game arenas. Watch for signs that the noise may be getting too loud, such as needing to raise your voice to talk to someone nearby.
Other Tips to Minimize Hearing Damage
Regular breaks from the noise allow your ears to rest and recover. Try to keep a safe distance from speakers or other loud sources. For an added layer of protection, consider downloading a smartphone app that measures noise levels in your immediate environment.
Remember, protecting your hearing health is essential, especially in potentially damaging environments like sports events. Contact CRM Audiology for a personal consultation or even share this useful information with your game-day buddies. Take charge today, schedule an appointment at CRM Audiology.
