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 new look at these concerns.
Picture this: It’s a peaceful early morning, the clock ticking at 7:45 AM. As the highway stretches before you, nearly free of traffic, you settle into a leisurely pace of 55 miles per hour, feeling the refreshing wind flow in through your rolled-down windows. Isn’t it unnecessary to use the car’s air conditioner on such a beautiful day? After all, why waste precious gas?
But the question is: Is driving with the windows rolled down potentially hazardous to your ears?
What the research says about driving with open windows
You don’t think it’s really loud. Researchers in the UK performed experiments with numerous vehicles, from Mazdas to Aston Martins, during non-peak hours at speeds of 50, 60, and 70 MPH.
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 create a hazard of triggering long-term damage to one’s hearing?
Exposure to 85 decibels for 8 hours can definitely result in permanent harm to one’s hearing.
In congested traffic conditions where exposure surpasses 100 decibels, hearing damage can happen within a mere 15 minutes.
What factors contribute escalated noise with open windows?
While your car may seem loud, several factors can exacerbate the decibel levels.
Engine and automobile types
The majority of gasoline-powered engines generate noise as a result of the swift combustion process taking place inside of their cylinders, which is a characteristic of about 80% of automobiles that use gasoline. However, hybrids, electric cars, or smaller sized 4-cylinder engines might offer a quieter ride. Conversely, high-performance automobiles like Ferraris can produce more than 100 decibels, particularly in lower gears.
Resistance to Wind
The whooshing and hissing sounds caused by wind passing over your car can significantly increase the overall noise level, even in fairly quiet cars. At just 15 MPH, cyclists experience 85 dB of wind noise, and at 60 MPH that volume rises to 120 dB, according to recent research. Driving with the windows open can have a noticeable impact on your hearing, particularly since cars encounter increased wind resistance.
Traffic amplifies noise
Every passing vehicle, even on multi-lane highways, adds to noise amplification. Along with the sound of the engine, you are also exposed to the rush of air produced by other cars passing by, which adds to a louder overall environment.
How to reduce risks and ensure safe driving practices
Reduce the risk of hearing loss while driving with windows down by following these measures.
- Don’t forget to take breaks while on long road trips by switching between having the windows up and down.
- For convertible drivers, closing the windows while keeping the top down can reduce sound to safer volumes.
- Utilize smartphone apps to keep track of noise levels in regular traffic conditions (never while driving).
- Keep windows up in heavy traffic to minimize extended exposure to loud noises exceeding 100 decibels.
- To safeguard your hearing, refrain from blasting music to mask traffic sounds.
- When operating a motorcycle or bicycle, think about obtaining helmets that are especially designed to reduce the impact of traffic noise.
- Regularly monitor your hearing health, especially if you’ve been habitually driving with windows open.
Essentially, cruising with the windows rolled down can expose you to a variety of potentially harmful sounds, including the rumble of the engine and rushing wind, which might pose a risk to your auditory well-being.
By adopting precautionary measures, you can protect your hearing while enjoying the freedom of open-road driving.
Contact us today if you are worried about noise-related hearing loss.
