It’s spooky season once again. That means the weather’s a little colder, and you’re probably running to Springfield’s Halloween party stores for the perfect costume. Amidst all your holiday preparations, there’s one more item you should add to your to-do list: establish safe listening practices.
Why Do I Need To Protect My Hearing on Halloween?
Any noise at or above 85 dB can harm your hearing. Sounds at 85 dB, about the volume of a gas-powered lawn mower, will take some time to cause damage. But the louder the sound, the faster hearing loss can arise.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of costume parties, booming music and terrifying haunted houses filled with screams and sound effects. But many of these festive activities can exceed the safe noise threshold, putting your ears at risk.
How Can I Protect My Hearing?
There are a few ways you can protect your hearing this Halloween:
- Turn down the music. Halloween music is fun, but raising it too high can be dangerous. Aim to keep your music at a level below 80 dB. You can use a smartphone decimeter app to check the volume. Lowering the music isn’t just great for protecting hearing, but it can also make it easier for people with hearing loss to communicate with others at the party.
- Wear earplugs. Earplugs are a simple yet effective tool to minimize hearing damage. You can choose from disposable foam, silicone, custom or high-fidelity options. High-fidelity earplugs have filters that dampen sound without sacrificing quality. They’re ideal for music lovers or individuals who want to enjoy their favorite Halloween sounds without compromising their hearing.
- Limit haunted house visits. Some people visit one haunted house a year, or a lifetime, and feel like they’ve had their fill. Others can’t get enough and seek out the thrill every weekend. While a yearly trip to a haunted house is unlikely to cause permanent hearing damage, repeated exposure to loud noises can take a toll on your ears. If you fall into the latter group, consider visiting early in the day or on less busy days to reduce the extra noise from crowds, and don’t forget to wear earplugs.
If you notice that voices sound muffled following your noisy Halloween plans, contact ENT Specialists Of Northern Virginia to schedule an appointment for a hearing test.