Summer is upon us and the warmer weather will bring the familiar sounds of the season. Lawnmowers and weed whackers set the theme song of Summer’s days and nights. While crickets create a well-known tempo from dusk until dawn, parts of the United States’ have dealt with Brood X cicadas, which can raise sound levels up to 100 decibels (dB). For context, a lawn mower is about 95 dB and a leaf blower can get up to 110 dB. That’s quite noisy! 

As people flock to spend more time outdoors during the warmer months, we can expect noise levels to increase. Not only does this contribute to hearing loss, but it also affects those with mild, moderate and severe hearing loss by impacting their ability to participate in conversations. 

The degree of hearing loss one has impacts what can and cannot be heard based on decibels and Hertz (Hz). Hearing Health outlined the following:  

• Slight hearing loss: Those that cannot hear sounds quieter than 15 to 20 dB, such as whispering or leaves rustling. 

• Mild hearing loss: Those having hearing loss between 26 and 40 dB in the speech frequencies.

• Moderate hearing loss: People with this degree of hearing loss cannot hear sounds lower than 40-69 dB. 

• Severe hearing loss: People with this degree of hearing loss cannot hear sound lower than 70-94 dB.

• Profound hearing loss: People with this degree of hearing loss cannot hear sound lower than 95 dB.

How much noise are you really exposed to in summer? 

Some summertime noise can contribute to hearing loss, as experts have found prolonged exposure to sounds at or above 85 dB may cause hearing loss. As you can see from the degrees of hearing loss above, seasonal noise can and does impact the ability to hold conversations outside. The “usual suspects” that surpass safe sound levels include fireworks (125 dB), concerts (115+ dB)  and sporting events (94 - 114 dB), but there are plenty of other noisy environments that impact hearing. 

Noisy Outdoor Activities at Parks

Parks are wonderful places to walk, sit and enjoy a picnic and to bring children to play. What’s meant to be a fun, relaxing and playful environment can pose a problem for those with hearing loss. A study by the European Journal of Environment and Public Health found that playground noise levels range between 61-97 dB. This isn’t surprising when you factor in sounds of children playing and shouting on top of squeaky playground equipment. If landscape equipment is present, noise levels can reach 80-105 dB.

Noisy Fun at Pools

Pools and aquatic centers provide respite from the hot summer days, complete with running water features, sounds of splashing and inevitable shouting of playing children. Typical pool noise such as those reach 65-90 dB. 

Noisy Outdoor Dining Activities

Outdoor dining certainly has its perks on sunny days and provides more distance between tables during the pandemic. The biggest issue (other than bugs) for diners is noise. Traffic sounds can range from 70-80 dB, but if an emergency vehicle passes, diners are blasted with up to 120 dB. The background noise of the crowd also makes it difficult to hear one another. 

Hiking and Camping is Noisy Too

One would think hiking would provide quiet moments to enjoy nature. That’s not entirely true. While hikers can enjoy the natural sounds of running water, birds chirping and weather-related sounds, like rain, the sound pollution from humans can reach even backcountry hikers. While hiking etiquette frowns upon playing loud music during excursions, it’s an ongoing issue that impacts others’ experiences as well as the prey-predator balance. The National Parks Service also reported, “after September 11, 2001, backcountry hikers reported knowing that something must be very wrong because there were no commercial aircraft sounds.”

It seems even the most relaxing activities come with their share of noise that can affect hearing or cause a degree of hearing loss. Make sure to take precautions, like using ear plugs, if you will be in extremely loud environments, like parades, fireworks shows or sporting events this summer. 

If you need extra help understanding speech in noise, don’t forget HeardThat is available for iPhone (iOS) and Android users.