Is driving with the windows down detrimental to your hearing? Does it save money on gas? Should you drive with your windows up or down? Let’s take a fresh look at these concerns.
Envision this: It is a tranquil morning, with the clock reading 7:45 AM. With the freeway almost empty, you cruise along at a comfortable 55 MPH, enjoying the cool breeze through your open windows. On such a beautiful day, running the car’s air conditioner seems excessive, doesn’t it? After all, why waste precious gas?
But here’s the question: Does driving with the windows down pose risks to your hearing?
What the research indicates about driving with open windows
Think it’s not very loud? British researchers carried out tests using different types of vehicles, ranging from Mazdas to Aston Martins, during times when there was minimal traffic, driving at speeds of 50, 60, and 70 miles per hour.
The researchers’ results were uniform: regardless of the type of vehicle or its speed, driving with the windows open subjected the driver to a nearly continuous sound level of at least 89 decibels.
Could this level of noise present a danger of causing lasting damage to one’s hearing?
Certainly, exposure to 85 decibels over an 8-hour period can result in permanent hearing loss.
In congested traffic conditions where exposure exceeds 100 decibels, hearing damage can occur within a mere 15 minutes.
What factors create a surge in volume levels when windows are open?
Various elements can boost the noise levels even while your vehicle might already seem loud.
A guide to engines and vehicle styles
The majority of gasoline-powered engines generate noise as a result of the swift combustion process happening within their cylinders, which is a characteristic of around 80% of automobiles that use gasoline. A slightly quieter ride might be expected in hybrid vehicles or vehicles with smaller 4-cylinder engines. On the other hand, sports cars such as Ferraris are capable of more than 100 decibels of noise, especially when operating in lower gears.
Wind resistance
The whooshing and hissing sounds caused by wind passing over your car can substantially add to the total noise level, even in fairly quiet cars. At only 15 MPH, cyclists are exposed to 85 dB of wind noise, and at 60 MPH that volume rises to 120 dB, according to recent studies. Driving with the windows open can have a noticeable effect on your hearing, especially since cars face increased wind resistance.
Traffic amplifies noise
Each passing vehicle, even on multi-lane highways, contributes to noise amplification. Aside from the engine noise, you’re subjected to the wind resistance from passing vehicles, further boosting overall noise levels.
How to mitigate risks and ensure safe driving strategies
If you like driving with windows down, think about these steps to reduce hearing loss risks:
- Take breaks during long drives, varying between windows up and down.
- One way for owners of convertibles to minimize noise exposure is to put up the windows while keeping the roof open.
- Use smartphone applications to track the levels of noise in regular traffic conditions (steer clear of using them when driving a vehicle).
- To avoid being exposed to loud noises over 100 decibels for an extended period of time, it is recommended to keep your windows up when driving in heavy traffic.
- In order to protect your hearing, avoid blasting music to mask traffic sounds.
- When operating a motorcycle or bicycle, consider obtaining helmets that are specifically made to reduce the impact of traffic noise.
- It’s essential to keep a close watch on your hearing health, particularly if you frequently drive with the windows up.
Essentially, cruising with the windows rolled down can subject you to a range of potentially damaging sounds, including the rumble of the engine and rushing wind, which might pose a risk to your auditory health.
By embracing precautionary precaustions, you can protect your hearing while enjoying the freedom of open-road driving.
Call us today if you are worried about noise-related hearing loss.
