How Loud Is That Hobby? Answers from a Hearing Loss Clinic

When you think about hobbies and recreational activities, do you think about your hearing? Many people don’t. In fact, in a recent UK survey, two thirds of respondents did not think hearing protection was necessary for their favourite activities, which included everything from baking and gardening to playing video games and attending sporting events. What does this mean for Albertans? Keep reading to find out what Calgary adult and pediatric audiologists have to say.

“What Are Your Personal Hobbies and Activities?”

When Canadians were asked the question above, a quarter of respondents indicated playing board or card games. While the noise level of these games is not generally considered a risk for hearing loss, if they are played at a party or in another setting where there is loud laughter and shouting, there is indeed a risk for noise-induced hearing loss. In fact, shouting during party games can produce sound levels of 80-90 decibels or higher, which can damage the hair cells in the inner ear and lead to permanent hearing impairment. Prolonged exposure to these high noise levels, especially in enclosed spaces where sound reverberates, can accumulate and result in gradual hearing loss.

Vroom! Vroom!

Second on the Canadian pastime list was spending time with cars and other vehicles. This surely has nothing to do with traffic, which falls in the safe zone, but more so with car repair. While an idle engine produces a safe level of noise, a full-throttle engine is well above it. Plus, garage tools from paint sprayers to air saws and pneumatic wrenches, create noise levels to those similar to a jet engine. Hearing protection is strongly encouraged to avoid hearing loss and a premature need for hearing aids.

Quiet, I’m Baking!

Third and seventh on the list of favourite Canadian pastimes were cooking / baking and gardening. While these activities seem benign, they can pose risks to hearing health. Kitchen appliances and gardening power tools often produce noise levels exceeding 85 decibels, which is the threshold for potential hearing damage. Prolonged exposure to these sounds can lead to noise-induced hearing loss. The risk increases with both intensity and duration of exposure. For instance, a blender at 88 dB can cause damage after 4 hours, while a lawnmower at 100 dB becomes hazardous after just 15 minutes. Protective measures are advisable during these activities.

More Pastimes & Sound Levels from Soundwave Hearing Care - Your Hearing Loss Clinic

Activity	Sound Level (dB)
Mobile video games Residential street traffic	43 40 - 60
Conversation Average board or card games Idle car	60 - 70
Busy city traffic	70
Active classroom Casino	60 - 77 68 – 72
Threshold for potential hearing loss	85
Cooking / Baking Gardening Gaming consoles / PC gaming Casino with live music Indoor hockey game Peak classroom noise	85 85 85-91 86 – 95 90 95
Party games with shouting & laughter Full throttle engine	90 - 100 90 - 108
Garage tools	90 - 134
Stock car	96 - 109
Baby crying	99 - 120
Peak levles of console video games Rodeo and concert events NHL game	119 120 120
Jet engine during flight	120 - 140
NASCAR pit Automative garage	130 134
Formula 1 car at full throttle	147
Jet engine at take off	140 - 180

Advice from Adult & Pediatric Audiologists

Prolonged and frequent exposure to sounds near and above 85 dB can have a profound impact on your hearing. If you experience such sound exposure, it is strongly encouraged to visit a hearing loss clinic like Soundwave Hearing Care for a hearing test. This can help detect hearing changes and allow you to take proactive measures such as wearing custom lifestyle molds to dampen the sound. This is particularly important in pediatric audiology because a child’s auditory system continues to develop into adolescence. Of course, hearing tests can also help identify if you need hearing aids.

Visit a Hearing Loss Clinic in Alberta

If you are concerned about the effect your hobbies are having on your hearing, contact the audiology team at Soundwave Hearing Care hearing loss clinic in Calgary, Grande Prairie, High River, or Lethbridge. We offer hearing tests for Albertans of all ages as well as general information about hearing. We are also an excellent source for quality hearing aids. Contact us today for adult and pediatric audiology.