Is driving with the windows open detrimental to your hearing? Does it save money on gas? Should you drive with your windows up or down? Here’s a fresh viewpoint on these questions.
Envision this: It is a peaceful morning, with the clock showing 7:45 AM. As the highway stretches before you, nearly empty of traffic, you settle into an unhurried pace of 55 miles per hour, feeling the invigorating wind flow in through your rolled-down windows. Isn’t it unnecessary to use the car’s air conditioner on such a lovely day? After all, why waste valuable gas?
But here’s the question: Does driving with the windows open present dangers to your hearing?
What the research says about driving with open windows
Think it’s not that loud? British researchers carried out tests using different types of vehicles, ranging from Mazdas to Aston Martins, at times when there was less traffic, driving at speeds of 50, 60, and 70 miles per hour.
Their findings were consistent: irrespective of the vehicle model or speed, driving with windows down exposed the driver to a near-constant noise level of 89 decibels.
Does this noise level present a danger of irreversible hearing damage?
Certainly, exposure to 85 decibels over an 8-hour period can result in irreversible hearing loss.
In congested traffic conditions where exposure surpasses 100 decibels, hearing damage can happen within a mere 15 minutes.
What factors create a rise in noise levels when windows are down?
Various elements can increase the noise levels even while your vehicle may already seem loud.
A guide to engines and automobile styles
The majority of gasoline-powered engines produce noise because of the swift combustion process occurring inside of their cylinders, which is a characteristic of around 80% of vehicles that use gasoline. However, hybrids, electric cars, or smaller 4-cylinder engines may provide a quieter ride. On the other hand, sports cars like Ferraris are capable of over 100 decibels of noise, particularly when operating in lower gears.
Wind resistance
The whooshing and whistling sounds caused by wind passing over your vehicle can significantly add to the overall noise level, even in relatively quiet cars. At only 15 MPH, cyclists experience 85 dB of wind noise, and at 60 MPH that volume increases to 120 dB, according to recent research. Driving with the windows open can have a noticeable effect on your hearing, particularly since cars encounter increased wind resistance.
Traffic amplifies noise
Each passing vehicle, even on multi-lane freeways, contributes to noise amplification. Along with the noise of the engine, you are also exposed to the rush of air created by other cars passing by, which adds to a louder overall environment.
Tips for minimizing risks and promoting safe driving
Decrease the threat of hearing loss while driving with windows open by following these measures.
- Take breaks when you are on long drives, alternating between windows open and closed.
- For convertible owners, closing the windows while keeping the top down can decrease sound to safer volumes.
- Use smartphone applications to monitor the levels of noise in typical traffic situations (steer clear of using them when driving a vehicle).
- Keep windows closed in heavy traffic to minimize prolonged exposure to loud noises surpassing 100 decibels.
- Avoid drowning out traffic noise with loud music, as it can exacerbate hearing damage.
- When operating a motorcycle or bicycle, think about purchasing helmets that are specifically made to reduce the effect of traffic noise.
- Regularly monitor your hearing health, especially if you’ve been repeatedly driving with windows open.
Essentially, driving with the windows rolled down can subject you to a variety of potentially harmful sounds, such as the rumble of the engine and rushing wind, which might pose a risk to your auditory well-being.
By adopting 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.