Spring break is a lot of fun. You get to relax, not think about your classes for a while and maybe even hit a few parties. While you’re making plans for the week, take a minute to consider how you can have fun without damaging your hearing.
Why Is It Important To Protect My Hearing on Spring Break?
An estimated 40 million people aged 20 to 69 have noise-related hearing loss. High noise at parties with loud music, busy beaches or casinos on the Las Vegas Strip can damage the tiny cells in your inner ear. If you damage enough of those cells, hearing loss and tinnitus can arise.
While noise-related hearing loss is common, it’s also highly preventable. By taking steps to protect your ears, you can enjoy your spring break without risking your hearing.
Practice Safe Listening in Noisy Environments
Many spring breakers head to parties, clubs or concerts—all of which can exceed safe noise levels. You can protect your hearing by wearing earplugs. Two effective types of earplugs include:
- Disposable. Disposable earplugs are an inexpensive foam option. They’re great for people who aren’t frequently exposed to loud noise.
- Pre-molded. Pre-molded earplugs are made of plastic, rubber or silicone. High-fidelity earplugs are one example and a perfect option for music lovers. They have special filters that reduce volume without sacrificing music quality.
Take Quiet Breaks
Quiet moments give your ears time to relax. If you’re planning time at crowded beaches or grabbing tickets to a few concerts, schedule regular quiet breaks of about 10-15 minutes to reduce ear strain.
Lowering the Volume on Road Trips
Rolling the windows down and blasting your music during a road trip is tempting, but it can also damage your hearing. Before you head out on your road trip, set a decibel limit on your phone in the headphone safety settings. Anything under 85 dB is a safe limit.
Schedule a Hearing Test
If you notice signs of hearing loss after your spring break, such as ringing in the ears or difficulty understanding speech, contact Nevada Ear + Sinus Institute today to schedule a hearing test with one of our specialists.
Call Nevada Ear + Sinus Institute at (702) 735-7668 for more information or to schedule an appointment.