4- Protect your hearing

Protect your hearing

It´s no surprise to learn that as we live our lives we are exposed to vast amounts of sounds at all different levels. Sounds that exceed 85 dB SPL are usually considered harmful.

What you may not realize is that 85 db SPL equates to the sound of noisy traffic. Loud music such as in nightclubs or at rock concerts is around 100 db SPL.

Regular exposure to sounds at or over 85 db SPL do irreversible damage but the good news is that we can protect our hearing and take simple steps to prevent possible damage or further damage.

A few tips to help protect your hearing

Turn down loud appliances if possible At home, turn down the volume on the television, radio, stereo and MP3 player. Reduce the number of noisy appliances running at the same time. Buy quieter products (compare dB ratings – the smaller the better).

Move away from the source Stay as far away from the source of noise as possible. Walk away when sounds get too loud.

Wear ear protection when working with noisy equipment like lawn mowers or leaf blowers Use ear protection wherever possible When you are exposed to sudden loud noises (e.g. a jackhammer), cup your hands over your ears or put a fingertip into each canal.