It’s once again time for the seasons to change. Your backyard is slowly filling with leaves, and Nashua is hosting fall festival after fall festival. While apple cider donuts and chili cook-offs are probably the first things to mind as autumn jumps into full swing, it’s crucial to understand how the season affects your hearing.
Let’s take a look at some common sources of fall noise and how you can protect against them.
1. Leaf Blowers
The orange and red leaves peppering your backyard are a pretty sight, but unfortunately, you need to pick them up sooner or later. Many people rely on gas-powered leaf blowers to clear the leaves efficiently. A 2019 study of lawn and garden equipment sound found that many gas-powered blowers exceed 95 A-weighted decibels (dBA) to the ear of the operator. That’s 10 dBA higher than the threshold for hearing damage.
Those standing 50 feet from the blower can experience noise around 65-80 dBA. While that noise level isn’t high enough to cause damage, it can still be unpleasant to hear.
There are a few ways you can protect against leaf blower-related damage:
- Wear earplugs or earmuffs the entire time you’re leaf-blowing
- Don’t listen to music while you use a leaf blower, as it can cause compounded noise levels
- Switch to an electric leaf blower, as they tend to be quieter
- Rake leaves when possible
- Hire a professional gardener if possible
2. Haunted Houses
Haunted houses are a common fall pastime. They’re filled with noisy jump scares, blaring music and plenty of frightened screams, all of which can put your hearing health in precarious circumstances. Whether you like to go every weekend in October or visit one for the first time, it’s crucial to protect your hearing.
Earplugs are the best way to protect your hearing during a haunted house. You can choose disposable foam or higher-tech versions like high-fidelity or custom earplugs. High-fidelity earplugs soften the impact of sound without sacrificing clarity. They’re an excellent option for music-lovers and people who want to enjoy the spooky sounds without hurting their ears.
3. Parties
The music and hum of conversation during Halloween parties or fall get-togethers can reach unsafe levels. Because you probably don’t want to wear earplugs to a party, try to keep the music below 80 decibels. Lowering the volume will not only protect your hearing but also help create a better environment for conversation.
Protecting your hearing during autumn helps you enjoy all your favorite sounds for seasons to come. For more information on hearing safety, contact Massachusetts Hearing Group today.