Autumn is upon us, and as we watch the leaves change to the vivid colors of fall, it might also be an excellent time to changes our auditory habits and do the little things to help our hearing. To many, the ending of the summer months means it’s the last opportunity to engage in the outdoor activities that have we were unable to find time to do. Quite a few fall activities can be very loud and can damage hearing if adequate steps are not taken to protect it. Make sure to follow our simple guidelines on how you can protect your hearing in the fall, so it will last for many seasons to come.

October is National Protect Your Hearing Month, reminding us that the events and chores of fall have a distinctive flair that presents its own set of auditory risks. Knowing what to be aware of and taking the steps necessary to protect your hearing can make all the difference in the long run.

1. The CDC has stated that any sound above 85 decibels can damage a person’s ability to hear. A lot of the yard equipment that is used to clean up fall has engines. From lawnmowers to leaf blowers, many of them go above the CDC recommendations as soon as they are turned on. It is always a good idea to wear earplugs or sound dampening headphones while using motorized tools. One thing to be extra careful of is if you are using music headphones. Make sure they have sound-dampening features so you don’t have the volume turned up above the level of the engine.

2. Fall is also a great time to attend concerts and sporting events. And due to the possibility of inclement weather, many of these events are scheduled to be indoors. But, whether inside or out, the same risk of harm to your hearing remains. Keeping headphones available in your car, pocket, or tailgating gear is always a good idea.

3. If you doubt the level of sound you are hearing, you can always use a sound meter. There is a large variety of affordable meters available. If you don’t want to carry another gadget, sound meter apps are also available to download for smartphones.