Can driving with open windows cause irreversible damage to your hearing? Is it more fuel-efficient? Should you opt for closed or open windows while driving? Let’s take a new look at these concerns.
Picture this: It’s a serene early morning, the clock ticking at 7:45 AM. As the freeway stretches out before you, nearly free of traffic, you settle into an unhurried pace of 55 miles per hour, feeling the refreshing wind rush in through your rolled-down windows. On such a picturesque day, using the car’s air conditioner seems excessive, doesn’t it? 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 very loud? British scientists conducted trials using different makes 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.
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 danger of causing long-term harm to one’s hearing?
Exposure to 85 decibels for 8 hours can definitely cause irreversible damage to one’s hearing.
Extended exposure to very loud noises, such as those exceeding 100 decibels in congested traffic, can cause hearing loss in as little as 15 minutes.
What contributes to escalated noise with open windows?
Various elements can increase the noise levels even while your vehicle may already seem noisy.
A guide to engines and automobile styles
The majority of gasoline-powered engines produce noise because of the swift combustion process happening inside of their cylinders, which is a characteristic of about 80% of vehicles that use gasoline. However, hybrids, electric cars, or smaller 4-cylinder engines might offer a quieter ride. On the other hand, sports cars like Ferraris are capable of more than 100 decibels of noise, especially when driving in lower gears.
Resistance to Wind
Air rushing past your vehicle can generate noticeable hissing and whooshing sounds, contributing significantly to the overall ambient sound, even in cars known for their quiet ride. At just 15 MPH, cyclists are exposed to 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, especially since cars encounter increased wind resistance.
Traffic magnifies noise
Each passing vehicle, even on multi-lane highways, adds to noise amplification. Besides the engine noise, you’re subjected to the wind resistance from passing cars, further boosting total noise levels.
How to reduce risks and ensure safe driving practices
Reduce the threat of hearing loss while driving with windows open by following these guidelines.
- Take breaks during long drives, alternating between windows up and down.
- For convertible owners, 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 closed in heavy traffic to avoid prolonged exposure to loud noises exceeding 100 decibels.
- Avoid drowning out traffic noise with loud music, as it can worsen hearing damage.
- When operating a motorcycle or bicycle, think about obtaining helmets that are especially made to reduce the impact of traffic noise.
- Regularly monitor your hearing health, particularly if you’ve been habitually driving with windows down.
In summary, driving with windows down subjects you to numerous sources of noise, including engine and wind noise, likely impacting your hearing health.
By adopting preventative precaustions, you can protect your hearing while enjoying the freedom of open-road driving.
Get in touch with us today if you are concerned about noise-related hearing loss.
