Can driving with open windows cause permanent damage to your hearing? Does it save 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. With the highway almost empty, you cruise along at a comfortable 55 MPH, enjoying the cool breeze through your open windows. Isn’t it unnecessary to use the car’s air conditioner on such a lovely day? What’s the point of squandering valuable 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
Think it’s not very loud? British scientists 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.
Could this level of noise present a hazard of causing lasting damage to one’s hearing?
Indeed, exposure to 85 decibels over an 8-hour period can result in irreversible hearing loss.
In heavy traffic conditions where exposure exceeds 100 decibels, hearing damage can happen within a mere 15 minutes.
What contributes to escalated noise with open windows?
While your car may seem loud, a number of factors can increase the decibel levels.
Engine and automobile types
The majority of gasoline-powered engines produce noise because of the swift combustion process taking place within their cylinders, which is a characteristic of about 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 such as Ferraris are capable of more than 100 decibels of noise, especially when driving in lower gears.
Wind resistance
Air rushing past your vehicle can generate noticeable hissing and whooshing noises, contributing significantly to the total ambient sound, even in cars recognized for their quiet ride. 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 more wind resistance, driving with windows open can indeed impact your hearing.
Heavier traffic results in louder noise
Every car that drives by in multiple lanes adds to the overall noise level. Aside from the engine noise, you’re subjected to the wind resistance from passing cars, further boosting overall noise levels.
Tips for decreasing risks and promoting safe driving
If you like driving with windows down, think about these measures to minimize 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, closing the windows while keeping the top down can reduce sound to safer volumes.
- Use cell phone apps to monitor noise levels in regular traffic conditions (never while driving).
- Keep windows closed in heavy traffic to minimize extended exposure to loud noises surpassing 100 decibels.
- To protect your hearing, refrain from blasting music to mask traffic sounds.
- When operating a motorcycle or bicycle, think about obtaining helmets that are specifically designed to decrease the impact of traffic noise.
- Regularly monitor your hearing health, particularly if you’ve been repeatedly driving with windows open.
Essentially, driving with the windows rolled down can expose you to a range of potentially damaging sounds, including the roar of the engine and rushing wind, which may pose a threat to your auditory well-being.
By adopting precautionary precaustions, you can safeguard your hearing while enjoying the freedom of open-road driving.
Contact us today if you are worried about noise-related hearing loss.