Is driving with the windows down harmful to your hearing? Is it more fuel-efficient? Should you go with closed or open windows when you’re driving? Let’s take a new look at these concerns.
Imagine this: It’s a peaceful early morning, the clock ticking at 7:45 AM. As the highway stretches out before you, almost 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 precious gas?
But the question is: Is driving with the windows rolled down potentially harmful to your ears?
What the research says about driving with open windows
Think it’s not that 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 present a danger of causing long-term harm to one’s hearing?
Certainly, exposure to 85 decibels over an 8-hour time frame can result in permanent hearing loss.
Prolonged exposure to very loud noises, such as those surpassing 100 decibels in congested traffic, can result in impairment in as little as 15 minutes.
What contributes to escalated noise with open windows?
Various elements can boost the noise levels even while your vehicle may already seem loud.
A guide to engines and automobile styles
The majority of gasoline-powered engines generate noise as a result of the swift combustion process occurring inside of their cylinders, which is a characteristic of around 80% of automobiles that run on gasoline. A slightly quieter ride may be expected in hybrid vehicles or vehicles with smaller 4-cylinder engines. On the other hand, sports cars like Ferraris are capable of over 100 decibels of noise, particularly when operating in lower gears.
Resistance to Wind
Air rushing past your vehicle can produce noticeable hissing and whooshing noises, adding substantially to the overall ambient sound, even in cars known for their quiet ride. At just 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 down can have a noticeable impact on your hearing, especially since cars face increased wind resistance.
Traffic amplifies noise
Every car that goes by in multiple lanes increases the total volume level. Along with the sound of the engine, you are also exposed to the rush of air created by other vehicles passing by, which contributes to a louder overall environment.
Tips for minimizing risks and promoting safe driving
If you enjoy driving with windows down, consider these steps to reduce hearing loss risks:
- Don’t forget to take breaks while on long road trips by going between having the windows up and down.
- For convertible drivers, shutting the windows while keeping the top down can reduce sound to safer volumes.
- Utilize smartphone apps to keep track of noise levels in normal traffic conditions (never while driving).
- Keep windows up in heavy traffic to avoid prolonged exposure to loud noises exceeding 100 decibels.
- 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 decrease the impact of traffic noise.
- Regularly monitor your hearing health, particularly if you’ve been repeatedly driving with windows open.
In summary, driving with windows open subjects you to numerous sources of noise, including engine and wind noise, potentially impacting your hearing health.
Taking steps to safeguard your ears can help you preserve your hearing while still taking pleasure in the pleasure of driving with the windows down.
Contact us today if you are concerned about noise-related hearing loss.
