Can driving with open windows cause irreversible damage 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 issues.
Picture this: It’s a serene early morning, the clock ticking at 7:45 AM. As the freeway stretches before you, nearly empty of traffic, you settle into a leisurely pace of 55 miles per hour, feeling the refreshing wind flow in through your rolled-down windows. On such a picturesque day, using the car’s air conditioner seems excessive, doesn’t it? What’s the point of wasting valuable gas?
But the question is: Is driving with the windows rolled down potentially dangerous to your ears?
What the research indicates about driving with open windows
You don’t think it’s very loud. Researchers in the UK carried out experiments with various 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 volume of noise present a danger of causing lasting damage to one’s hearing?
Certainly, exposure to 85 decibels over an 8-hour period can lead to irreversible hearing loss.
Prolonged exposure to very loud noises, such as those exceeding 100 decibels in congested traffic, can result in impairment in as little as 15 minutes.
What factors create a surge in noise levels when windows are open?
Various aspects can boost the noise levels even while your vehicle may already seem noisy.
Engine and automobile types
Most gas engines generate about 85 decibels of noise caused by the rapid combustion in their cylinders, accounting for approximately 80% of gas-powered vehicles. However, hybrids, electric cars, or smaller sized 4-cylinder engines may offer a quieter ride. Alternatively, high-performance automobiles like Ferraris can generate over 100 decibels, especially in lower gears.
Resistance to Wind
The whooshing and hissing sounds caused by wind passing over your car can significantly increase 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. Given that automobiles experience even greater wind resistance, driving with windows down can indeed impact your hearing.
Traffic amplifies noise
Every car that goes by in multiple lanes increases the overall volume level. Besides the engine noise, you’re subjected to the wind resistance from passing cars, further boosting total noise levels.
How to mitigate risks and ensure safe driving strategies
Reduce the threat of hearing loss while driving with windows down by following these guidelines.
- Don’t forget to take breaks while on long road trips by switching between having the windows up and down.
- One way for drivers of convertibles to reduce noise exposure is to roll up the windows while leaving the roof open.
- Use smartphone applications to monitor the levels of noise in normal traffic conditions (steer clear of using them when operating a vehicle).
- To prevent being exposed to loud noises over 100 decibels for an extended time period, it is advisable to keep your windows closed when driving in heavy traffic.
- To protect your hearing, refrain from blasting music to mask traffic sounds.
- When operating a motorcycle or bicycle, think about purchasing helmets that are especially designed to decrease the effect of traffic noise.
- Regularly monitor your hearing health, particularly if you’ve been habitually driving with windows open.
In summary, driving with windows open exposes you to various sources of noise, including engine and wind noise, likely impacting your hearing health.
By adopting precautionary measures, you can safeguard your hearing while enjoying the freedom of open-road driving.
Call us today if you are worried about noise-related hearing loss.