We are constantly exposed to noise in our everyday existence. Our surroundings—from commute sounds and yard work to music via personal audio devices—is increasingly loud. The growing volume of sound poses a serious risk to your auditory health unless precautions are taken. With National Protect Your Hearing Month taking place in October, now is the best time to dedicate attention to preserving your hearing.

How to safeguard your hearing: 8 key methods

Fortunately, there are straightforward steps you can take to protect your ears from the everyday noise around you. Here are eight essential tips to preserve your hearing.

1. Become familiar with noise levels and their impact

The most important action for averting auditory damage is to determine when a sound level becomes hazardous. Diverse noises generate different decibel (dB) measurements; spending too much time around loud ones can result in permanent hearing damage. Consult this brief table:

• 85–90 dB: Lawn mowers, heavy traffic – Safe for up to 2 hours of exposure.
• Exposure to 100 dB sounds, such as those from construction equipment or motorcycles, risks hearing damage in only 15 minutes.
• Noises exceeding 110 dB (e.g., explosions, fireworks) can lead to immediate damage in just seconds.

Taking a preventative approach to noise awareness can help you avoid environments that are dangerous to your ears.

2. Measure sound levels yourself

Want to know the actual volume of your surroundings? You can easily determine it using your smartphone. Several no-cost sound meter apps are accessible, allowing you to test noise levels around you. The key to getting exact data is to take the measurement from the distance you normally maintain from the origin of the sound.

If you use this measuring method consistently, you’ll gain a clearer insight into your environment and be prepared to make sound choices to guard your hearing.

3. Don’t crank up the volume on your devices

One of the most frequent causes of long-term hearing damage is enjoying music or podcasts at an amplified level. Headphones and earbuds, while convenient, frequently carry understated dangers. It’s noteworthy that numerous headphones can reach 100 dB, a level that can induce hearing loss in only 15 minutes of use.

Because they listen with earbuds at high volumes, more than a billion young people worldwide are currently facing a risk of hearing loss. You should never set the volume on your earbuds higher than 50% of the maximum capacity if you want to safeguard your ears. If you need to raise the volume higher to hear, that’s a clear indicator your hearing may already be damaged.

4. Never try to use music to drown out loud noise

When working in a noisy environment or living in a loud neighborhood, you may be tempted to use headphones to cancel the surrounding noise. It is in fact harmful to increase the volume too high just to override external noise. Opt instead for noise-canceling headphones; these devices make it possible to listen to your music or podcasts at a much reduced, safer level. If you don’t have noise-canceling headphones, earplugs can be an effective alternative.

5. Always utilize earplugs in loud environments

Whether you are at a concert, a sports event, or operating loud machinery, earplugs are critical for those routinely exposed to loud environments. They are small, affordable, and easy to carry, making them a straightforward but effective tool for hearing protection.

Custom-fitted earplugs are available for those who need them regularly, providing better comfort and protection than generic options. In any loud setting, don’t forget to use them.

6. While at work, follow safety guidelines

If your job requires being around loud equipment or machinery, always comply with safety protocols regarding hearing protection. Be cautious because some jobs may discount the risks; individuals claiming “it’s not that loud” could be suffering from major hearing loss and thus misjudging the true noise level. You should protect your hearing by using the necessary protective gear and abiding by the safety rules.

7. Move further away from loud noise

The most effective means of hearing protection can often be just creating distance from the source of the loud sound. By increasing distance, the sound intensity reaching your ears is lessened, which helps reduce damage. For example, standing 20 feet away from a noise source producing 110 dB reduces it to around 100 dB—safe for up to 15 minutes of exposure.

The example of fireworks demonstrates this well. Even if a 150 dB firework explosion appears distant, being close to the launch site means the noise could still be over 120 dB, leading to immediate damage. You can nonetheless enjoy the display at a safer level, below 100 dB, by being 2,000 feet away (the length of about five football fields).

8. Existing hearing loss needs to be addressed promptly

If you’ve already noticed hearing loss, it’s vital to act before it worsens. Hearing loss doesn’t go away on its own; it progresses. Nearly 1 in 10 adults between the ages of 55 and 64 has noticeable hearing loss, and those numbers rise sharply in older age.

Failing to address the first indications of auditory loss will only quicken its advancement. On average, people wait 7 years too long to get treatment. Your ability to conserve the hearing you still have is improved the earlier you see a hearing specialist to review options like hearing aids.

Act now for better hearing

National Protect Your Hearing Month is an perfect reminder to focus on your hearing health. These basic steps are useful and can make a big change, whether your goal is to mitigate existing hearing loss or stop future impairment.

To avoid future regret, arrange a hearing test immediately and manage your auditory health.