When you’re getting ready for a holiday party, you might look for some decorations at the Darlington Holiday Warehouse, grab your favorite themed sweater from the closet or decide on the best way to style your hair. Whatever your holiday prep includes, there’s one more thing to add to your checklist: protect your hearing.
Why Is Hearing Protection Important at Holiday Parties?
When something generates a noise, the sound waves travel through your outer and middle ear into the cochlea. The sound waves move the fluid inside the cochlea, which in turn stimulates the thousands of microscopic hair cells lining the organ. If the noise is below 85 decibels (dB), roughly the volume of a gas-powered lawn mower, the hair cells transmit it to the brain effectively. If the noise level rises above 85 dB, it can overstress the hair cells, causing them to die off and rendering them incapable of transmitting sound, resulting in hearing loss.
The louder a sound, the faster it can damage hearing. While noise at 85 dB can take hours to cause hearing loss, noise at 120 dB can cause it instantly.
Whether the sounds of your coworkers singing karaoke or just lots of talking fill the room, holiday party noise can reach well beyond that threshold for hearing loss. Fortunately, there are several ways to protect your hearing for a safer holiday party season.
Hearing Protection Tips
Employ the following tips to enjoy your next holiday party without hearing damage:
- Use a decibel meter app. A decibel meter app measures the loudness of your environment. You can download one on your smartphone and use it at the party. If the noise levels get too high, lower the music.
- Stand away from speakers. If you’re at a party with big music speakers, make sure you’re standing at least ten feet away from them to limit your noise exposure.
- Take breaks. If you can’t control the noise at a party, take a few breaks away from the event to give your ears a rest.
- Wear earplugs. If your holiday party is more of a music-heavy gathering with little conversation, consider wearing high-fidelity earplugs to minimize the impact of the noise.
By following the above tips, you can enjoy your holiday parties without worrying about hurting your hearing. For more information on hearing protection or to schedule a hearing test, contact Ear, Nose & Throat Associates today.