Keep your yard looking great and protect your hearing health this spring.
With the spring season arriving, now is a great time to start sprucing up your yard. However, along with those long-awaited yard projects come potential risks to your hearing health.
From loud lawnmowers and leaf blowers to wood splitters and chainsaws, the noise levels of yard work tools can cause permanent hearing damage. That’s why it’s important to take the right steps to protect your hearing while doing yard work!
Here are some do’s and don’ts of hearing protection for yard work:
- Do: Wear hearing protection gear
- Don’t: Underestimate how loud lawn equipment can get
- Do: Take breaks while doing yard work
- Don’t: Forget to keep your distance
- Do: Talk to your neighbors
- Don’t: Ignore ear pain or discomfort
Let’s explore these tips on hearing protection for yard work below!
Do: Wear hearing protection gear
When it comes to yard work, the best way to protect your hearing is to wear hearing protection equipment. Whether you’re mowing the lawn, using a leaf blower, or cutting with a chainsaw, wearing earplugs or earmuffs can help reduce the noise levels of your tools and protect your hearing. It’s essential to ensure the hearing protection you choose fits correctly, as a snug fit will provide the best noise reduction.
Here are some other outdoor events where hearing protection is also a must!
Don’t: Underestimate how loud lawn equipment can get
Many people don’t realize just how loud lawn equipment can get. A lawn mower can reach noise levels of up to 100dB, which is louder than the sound of a car horn. A leaf blower can reach noise levels of up to 115dB, which is comparable to a rock concert or the sound of a jet taking off. The more powerful the tool, the louder it will be — but even if you’re using a relatively quiet lawn mower or leaf blower, it’s still important to prioritize safety. Learn more about safe vs. dangerous decibel levels here, with examples of sounds in each category.
Do: Take breaks while doing yard work
When you’re outside doing yard work, it can be easy to get caught up in the task and forget to take breaks. But if you’re using loud equipment, such as a chainsaw or wood splitter, taking regular breaks is essential. Not only will breaks give you a chance to rest your body, but they can also give your ears a break from the noise. The risk of noise-induced hearing loss increases with a longer duration of sound exposure. Try to take a break every 20 minutes or so to give your ears a chance to recover.
Don’t: Forget to keep your distance
When you’re part of a crew or around other people using loud equipment, it’s important to keep your distance from the tool. This is especially true for things like chainsaws and wood splitters, which can reach noise levels of up to 130dB. The further away you are from the tool, the less dangerous that noise will be. If you’re hiring landscapers for a project, plan to mostly stay indoors unless you’re needed.
Do: Talk to your neighbors
If you’re going to be doing yard work in a densely populated area, it’s a good idea to talk to your neighbors and let them know when you’re planning to use loud equipment. That way, they can also be prepared and take the appropriate steps to protect their hearing as well. This habit also sets a good precedent in your neighborhood, so others will be more likely to give you advanced notice in return. Consider posting in a neighborhood app like NextDoor if you’d like to inform a lot of people at once.
Don’t: Ignore ear pain or discomfort
Finally, if you start to experience any pain or discomfort in your ears while working outdoors, stop what you’re doing immediately. This could be a sign of hearing damage, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect your hearing. Consider upgrading your hearing protection equipment or stopping work for the day and resuming later. If symptoms persist, it’s best to see a doctor or your audiologist as soon as possible.
By following these hearing protection for yard work do’s and don’ts, you can keep your outdoor spaces looking great and protect your hearing health this spring. Next, learn about other hearing health risks to be aware of this season.
