Our ability to hear relies on a subtle and complex system that can be affected by many factors at once. “Even a single exposure to a loud sound can cause noise-induced hearing loss if the distance is close enough,” said Dr. Meredith Braza, an audiologist at Boston Children’s Hospital and a member of Forbes Health’s advisory board.
She added that continued exposure to loud noise can also permanently damage hearing or lead to sensorineural hearing loss (the most common type of hearing loss). Although snowmobiles, leaf blowers, chainsaws, and other heavy shop machinery are the top causes of hearing loss as the holidays approach, there are several other (perhaps surprising) sources of noise that can damage you of hearing.
kids toys
In addition to being auditory irritants, noisy toys can actually be dangerous. “Many parents may not realize that some of the toys given away during the holidays may be damaging to their children’s hearing,” said Dr. Amy Sarow, a board-certified audiologist in Michigan and a member of the Forbes Health Advisory Council. Toys with sirens, loud sound effects, and musical instruments can reach dangerously high decibel levels. She said some popular toys can even exceed 100 decibels, equivalent to the noise level of standing near a chainsaw. (For comparison, a typical conversation level is about 60 decibels.) In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to 100 decibels of noise for 15 minutes can cause hearing loss.
Additionally, toys may make louder sounds after all packaging is removed, according to a 2019 study international journal of otolaryngologymaking it difficult to accurately measure a toy’s true noise level when shopping.
“Be careful not to provide children with games or toys that produce more than 85 decibels of continuous noise or you risk permanent hearing damage,” says Dr. Abram Bailey, a leading expert in hearing aid technology and Forbes Health Consulting Board of Directors.
When shopping for children’s toys, read the labels carefully and choose toys with adjustable volume settings or soft sounds, Dr. Salo recommends. Parents should be wary of the decibel levels produced by items like toy amplifiers, as well as other specific toys with high volume outputs, such as LeapFrog’s Scrub ‘n Play Smart Sink, Fisher-Price’s Think and Learn Code-a-Pillar and Vtech’s Drop and Go dump trucks, she added.
fireworks
Dramatic, colorful explosions in the sky may be delightful, but the noise they make is often dangerous. “Fireworks can be very loud, and even very brief exposure can cause immediate and permanent hearing damage,” said Dr. Megan Bilodeau, an audiologist in Massachusetts and a member of the Forbes Health Advisory Council.
Dr. Salo said that according to the Hearing Health Foundation, the sound of a firework explosion can be as high as 150 decibels, which is louder than a gunshot.At the same time, research applied acoustics An analysis of noise levels at firework display events across Portugal found that 78% of events assessed had noise levels above 120 decibels, with all events in the sample exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) exposure limits for children. According to the CDC, this level of noise (110 to 120 decibels) can cause hearing loss within two minutes.
People attending fireworks shows can help protect hearing health by wearing ear protection and keeping a safe distance from the launch site. In the meantime, those hosting fireworks displays may consider using quieter alternatives, such as fireworks or other fountain- or strobe-style devices.
Music, concerts and events
Music helps brighten and enliven the holiday, although sometimes those sweet silver bells ring a little too loudly. Dr. Salo said many holiday songs enjoy high airplay, especially at parties. He noted that it would be wise to plan accordingly. She recommends that if you’re attending a festival with loud music, step away from the noise regularly, use earplugs or keep a safe distance from the speakers. Her rule of thumb: “If you can’t hear people at arm’s length, the music is too loud.”
However, the duration of exposure is equally important. “When it comes to noise, it’s not just how loud it is, but how long you hear it at that level,” Dr. Bilodeau said. According to the CDC, prolonged exposure to noise above 70 decibels may cause hearing damage. Dr. Bilodeau said that while concerts may not be as loud as fireworks, they generally last longer and produce a more sustained sound than fireworks shows.
Experts also recommend caution in places of worship, as holiday concert performances can easily exceed safe noise levels. The same goes for using earbuds to listen to your favorite holiday tunes, and according to research, more than 1 billion teens and young adults are at risk of hearing damage from headphones, earbuds, and loud music in noisy music venues. “BMJ Global Health”. According to the Hearing Health Foundation, earbud volume can exceed 100 decibels, but the safest listening range is only 50 to 60 percent of maximum volume.
Colds and stuffy noses from socializing
Dr. Braza said that with increased socialization comes the inevitable spread of germs, which could pose unexpected risks to hearing health during the holidays. Colds and other congestion-causing germs can spread quickly from person to person during the winter and lead to hearing loss due to things like sinusitis, Eustachian tube dysfunction or otitis media (middle ear infection), she said.Among other hazards, respiratory infections can increase the risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss, a study suggests international journal of environmental research and public health.
While there’s no need to cancel your annual cookie decorating extravaganza because of grandma’s stuffy nose, there are some cautions and precautions that need to be taken to help prevent the spread of illness. In addition to washing your hands frequently and cleaning hard surfaces, the CDC recommends managing stress, staying warm, and avoiding the use of tobacco products to prevent the growth of bacteria.
holiday fix
Sales also increase as millions of people increase store productivity during the holiday season with countless DIY projects.
Of course, not all power tools are created equal. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides a handy list of decibel levels for specific tools, including brand-specific breakdowns for various miter saws, impact drivers, orbital sanders, drills, circular saws, and other common tools . Use this information to understand your potential hearing health risks and take appropriate precautions.
“Always wear protective earplugs or earmuffs when using noisy power tools such as drills, saws, or grinders,” says Dr. Salo. The same goes for your little helper.