How Everyday Noise Can Damage Your Hearing

By:Allison Willis

Key takeaways:

Everyday activities like headphone use and fitness classes can lead to gradual hearing loss
Recognizing harmful noises can help to prevent damage
Luckily, with some simple protective measures, you can significantly reduce the risk to your hearing health

Are your everyday activities hurting your hearing without you realizing?

It’s sometimes thought that noise-induced hearing loss is caused by a single exposure to a loud noise – and while that’s true, it’s more common for noise-induced hearing loss to creep in gradually over time. Daily exposure to loud noises, such as headphones, fitness classes, traffic and household appliances, can cause more damage than you might think.

Exposure to these sounds when they’re at safe levels – typically below 85 decibels – isn’t likely to cause any damage. But when you’re exposed to noise at higher levels, it can have a big impact on your hearing. Heavy city traffic, for example, is usually around 85 decibels. At that level, there’s possible damage to your hearing after more than 8 hours of exposure without hearing protection. And as the noise levels get louder, it takes less time to cause potential damage. Rock concerts are typically around 104 dB – and at that level, it can take just 7.5 minutes before there’s potential hearing damage, if you don’t use protection.

And what’s more, damage from noise can happen at any age – it’s not just something that affects older people. Research has found that as many as 17% of teens (aged 12 to 19) have noise-induced hearing loss in one or both years, and as many as 10 million adults under the age of 70 in the USA have hearing loss in one or both ears, caused by exposure to loud noise.

But the good news is that there are ways to reduce your risk, without the need to stop doing what you love.

Common everyday activities that damage hearing

You might be surprised to learn that some of your daily routines could be putting your hearing at risk. They might seem harmless, but here are some of the most common culprits:

Using earbuds or headphones at too high a volume: Listening to music or podcasts at high volumes, especially through earbuds that sit deep in the ear canal, can cause gradual hearing loss over time.
Loud fitness classes: Spin, HIIT, and aerobics sessions are high energy and great fun – but that means they often feature music cranked to club-like levels. Repeated exposure without ear protection can be damaging.
Noisy household tools and appliances: If you’re a DIY aficionado, be careful that your tools aren’t too loud. Appliances like vacuum cleaners, blenders, and hairdryers may seem harmless, but prolonged or close-range exposure adds up.
Traffic noise: Whether you’re a pedestrian, cyclist, or even a driver with the window open, busy city traffic can be louder than you think, potentially causing damage, especially if you live on a busy street or are stuck in traffic for a long time.
Concerts and sporting events: It might not be a daily occurrence, but if you’re a regular concert going or an avid football fan, you should be mindful that these noisy events can cause potential hearing damage.
Cafes, restaurants and bars: From loud music to constant chatter, these social spaces can be surprisingly loud, easily reaching over 85 dB – which can make it hard to hear, as well as putting your ears at risk.
Public transport: Traveling on subways, trains, or buses exposes riders to frequent bursts of loud noise, so be careful if you spend a long time commuting each day.

The hidden signs of hearing damage

Hearing loss often creeps in gradually, which is why many people don’t notice the warning signs of hearing loss until it’s more advanced. Here are some subtle clues your ears might already be under strain:

Difficulty following conversations in noisy places

Do you find it hard to hear in restaurants, bars or crowded rooms? If it’s difficult to hear what others are saying when there’s a lot of background noise, it could be an early sign of hearing damage.

Persistent ringing or buzzing in your ears

Ever left a concert with ringing ears? That’s a condition known as tinnitus, and it’s often an early symptom of damage to your inner ear. Even if your hearing seems otherwise normal, tinnitus can indicate that there may be a problem.

Increasing the volume on your devices

Do you often turn up the TV, music, or phone calls? If you’re turning the volume up louder and louder – and don’t even notice until someone else points it out – it’s a classic red flag for hearing loss.

How to protect your hearing daily

Whether you’ve noticed any of these early warning signs, or want to prevent any of them happening to you, it’s a good idea to take action to protect your hearing. Luckily, a few simple actions can go a long way towards keeping your ears safe – with no drastic action required. Here are some pointers to get you started:

Limit headphone use: Whether you use over-ear headphones or earbuds, try to give yourself regular headphone-free breaks. And when you do listen to music, it’s best to follow the 60/60 rule – that is, keep the volume at no more than 60%, and set a 60 minute limit. Then, give your ears time to recover before using your headphones again.
Use protective earplugs: Whether you’re at a concert, riding the subway or getting your sweat on in spin class, noise-reducing or noise-canceling earplugs can reduce your exposure to unsafe noise levels without sacrificing sound quality. Try Loop Experience earplugs for crisp sound with 17 dB of noise reduction.
Take regular noise breaks: It can be difficult if you work in a noisy environment or live on a busy street, but try to step away from the noise when you can. Even a few minutes of quiet every hour will give your ears time to reset, reducing the long-term impact on your hearing.

Small, consistent choices like these can make a big difference over time, helping you enjoy your day-to-day life without sacrificing your hearing.

Choosing the right ear protection

Daily hearing protection can help to keep your ears safe – but it’s important to choose the right earplugs. Choosing ones that fit well, protect your ears, and look good to boot will make all the difference between something you’ll actually wear every day and something that ends up forgotten in a drawer.

Firstly, make sure that they’re comfortable and fit well. Materials like soft-touch silicone ensure they’re kind to your ears and comfortable to wear throughout the day. Properly fitting earplugs should effectively reduce noise levels, without causing any pressure or irritation. Look out for earplugs like Loop that offer different sizes of ear tips, so you can get the perfect fit for your ear size and shape.

Noise reduction rating (NRR) is another important factor when it comes to earplugs. This rating tells you how much sound the earplugs can effectively reduce and the higher the NRR, the more protection the earplugs will offer. For everyday use, like commuting on a noisy train or working in a busy cafe, you may need a lower NRR, while loud events or working with power tools may require a higher NRR.

Finally, you’ll have the choice between disposable and reusable earplugs. Disposable earplugs are budget-friendly and great for occasional use, but as they’re single-use items, they can generate a lot of waste. Additionally, they only come in a single size – which may mean that they don’t actually fit your ears. Reusable earplugs are designed to be used again and again, offering better long-term value – and if you choose earplugs like Loop with a choice of ear tip sizes, they also offer a better fit.

Additional hearing health tips

Protecting your hearing with earplugs for noise protection is a great start. But for healthy ears, consider building a lifestyle that supports your hearing in both the short and long term. Here are some hearing protection tips to keep your hearing safe for many years to come:

Regular hearing check-ups: Don’t wait until there’s a problem before visiting an audiologist. Just like your eyes and teeth, it’s smart to get regular check-ups to monitor the health of your ears. An audiologist will be able to spot any changes to your hearing, and with early detection, you should be able to take action before the damage gets any worse.
Manage sound exposure: At parties, events, or even in open-plan offices, try to position yourself away from speakers or loud machinery. If you can’t avoid the noise, use ear protection or take breaks to reduce exposure.
Create quiet spaces at home and work: At home or at work, carve out spaces where noise is kept to a minimum. You don’t need to spend hours and hours in silence each day – even just a short break in a quiet space can give your ears a much-needed break.

Your ears are worth protecting – and while you might not be able to control the noise levels within your environment, you can take measures to make sure the noise doesn’t have a negative impact. Start with small steps today – lower the volume, carry earplugs, and book a hearing check-up. Your future self will thank you.