Noise trap: Everyday life

(EUHA/Mainz, 22 April 2020) 29 April 2020 is International Noise Awareness Day. The pandemic is changing our everyday life. This also affects the noise that surrounds us. There are fewer trains, buses, motorcycles, trucks, and planes around now clearly reducing traffic noise. Less noise in our lives has direct effects on our health and well-being. We feel less stress, enjoy deeper sleep, are able to concentrate better, and feel more balanced.

Let’s take a look at our homes. People are staying at home a lot more, in their apartments, houses, or gardens. The things that are meant to make life more comfortable, may soon become noise traps that generate stress. In the morning, we prepare fresh smoothies for the whole family producing noise levels of up to 90 dB (decibels). The kids are spending their days listening to music, to audio books, or playing the electric piano. So that their parents can work in peace, children usually use headphones or earphones where 95 dB, or more, are not uncommon. Toys are another source of noise: a xylophone may be as loud as a hairdryer when used close to children’s ears (approx. 70-80 dB), a rattle can make as much noise as a drill (approx. 80 dB), and a rubber ducky may compete with the noise level of an aeroplane (approx. 130 dB). Adults use their spare time at home mowing the lawn (80 dB), leaf blowing and garden vacuuming (90 dB), or on DIY projects (circular saw: 100 dB, hand grinder: 90 dB).

Noise levels from 85 dB can cause damage to the ear. To provide optimum protection for our hearing even in times of the pandemic, EUHA President Beate Gromke recommends: "Use hearing protectors and be aware of noise sources in your personal sphere! Parents can protect their children by giving them headphones with a volume limiter, and by keeping them away from noise, as often as possible. Different types of noise protectors are available for children and adults: as standard or as ear defenders (earmuffs). Your hearing aid acoustician will offer advice.”

The European Union of Hearing Aid Acoustician has issued a brochure explaining the different variants of hearing protection: "Gehör schützen – Lebensqualität erhalten” [Ear protection – preserving quality of life]. The information given is intended for customers and available for free download from: https://www.euha.org/informationen/hals-nasen-ohrenaerzte/

Please note: During the pandemic, hearing aid acousticians can offer individually fitted hearing protectors only in justified cases.