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Hearing Center Detroit: 5 Situations For Hearing Protection
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5 Situations Where You Should Use Hearing Protection

  • July 1, 2020
  • By   Patricia Duncan
  • Hearing Center Detroit
    • picture of audiologist explaining hearing aids to a patient in detroit

    Just as you can expect with other parts of your body, your hearing will show signs of aging as you, well, age. That being said, deterioration and hearing loss can occur no matter your age. Whether you’re young or older and are starting to notice signs of hearing loss, our hearing center in Detroit can help.  Here at Platinum Hearing Aids, we offer hearing loss treatment, hearing solutions, hearing aid fittings, and other services from our audiologist to best help you improve your hearing and quality of life. Whether you’re already noticing signs of hearing loss or not, it’s important to use hearing protection. In today’s blog, we’ll highlight five situations where hearing protection is commonly needed. Keep reading to learn more, and contact us today to visit our hearing center in Detroit.

    85 Decibels

    It is recommended that you use hearing protection in any situation in which the noise or sound level exceeds 85 decibels (A-weighted) or dBA. For comparison, here are some common noises and their average decibels (dB):
    • Soft music, whisper: 30
    • Average home noise: 40
    • Normal conversation, background music: 60
    • Office noise, inside car at 60 mph: 70
    • Vacuum cleaner, average radio: 75
    • Heavy traffic, window air conditioner, noisy restaurant, power lawn mower: 80-89
    • Subway, shouted conversation: 90-95
    • Boom box, ATV, motorcycle: 96-100
    • School dance: 101-105
    • Chainsaw, leaf blower, snowmobile: 106-115
    • Sports crowd, rock concert, loud symphony: 120-129
    • Stock car races: 130
    • Gunshot, siren at 100 feet: 140
    As you can see, there are many situations in everyday life that could lead to hearing damage and loss. If you’re in need of treatment, then visit our Detroit hearing center today.

    Attending Concerts

    We’ve all seen babies at concerts wearing heavy-duty ear protection. Why aren’t we doing the same? While we as adults may not need the same level of protection — we are there to hear the music, after all — it is possible to wear ear protection and simply hear the music at a lower volume. By doing so, you can better enjoy the music you love for years to come!

    Mowing the Lawn

    A power lawn mower is 80-89 dB, and sounds above 85 dB are harmful. To be safe, our audiologists recommend wearing ear protection while mowing the lawn! What better way to do this than with ear protection while also listening to a podcast or your favorite music? Turn your time mowing the lawn into a more calming — and less damaging — experience by using protection.  

    Surfing

    Hold up — you thought we were just talking about noises? While noise levels are certainly one of the most important aspects to consider when discussing hearing loss, exposure to cold, wind, water, and snow can also irritate your ears. While we may not have the option to surf much here in Detroit, keep this in mind when traveling to more tropical locales! Water can lead to ear infections, which can in turn lead to serious hearing damage if you’re not careful.

    Using Power Tools

    Perhaps you’re a weekend warrior or you’re completing a home renovation project. Whatever it is, don’t forget to wear ear protection when using those power tools! As an example, an electric saw can produce sounds over 100 dB. While this is more prone to cause hearing loss with prolonged use, it’s important to take the necessary precautions early on.

    Watching Fireworks

    Independence day is in just a few days! With it comes parties with friends and family, outdoor barbecuing, and, of course, fireworks. While they are exciting and fun to watch, fireworks can be an assault on your ears! On average, fireworks can produce up to 150 dB of noise. Instead of simply covering your ears with your hands, wear a pair of earplugs or earmuffs to help stifle the noise level.

    Visit Our Hearing Center in Detroit

    It’s never too early or too late to meet with an audiologist if you’re concerned about your hearing. Hearing loss can greatly affect your quality of life, but our audiologists can help make sure you have the hearing solutions you need. Follow the tips in this blog and use protection, and then visit our hearing center for personalized tips, hearing aids, hearing devices, and more.