Is driving with the windows open detrimental to your hearing? Does it save on gas? Should you drive with your windows up or down? Here’s a fresh viewpoint on these questions.
Picture this: It’s a serene early morning, the clock ticking at 7:45 AM. As the highway stretches out before you, nearly empty of traffic, you settle into a leisurely pace of 55 miles per hour, feeling the refreshing wind rush 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 here’s the question: Does driving with the windows down present risks to your hearing?
What are the potential hazards linked to open window driving, according to research?
You don’t think it’s really loud. Researchers in the UK carried out 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.
Does this noise level present a risk of irreversible hearing damage?
Exposure to 85 decibels for 8 hours can definitely cause irreversible harm to one’s hearing.
In congested traffic conditions where exposure exceeds 100 decibels, hearing damage can happen within a mere 15 minutes.
What contributes to increased noise with open windows?
While your vehicle might seem noisy, a number of factors can increase the decibel levels.
A guide to engines and automobile styles
The majority of gasoline-powered engines produce noise as a result of the swift combustion process happening inside of their cylinders, which is a characteristic of about 80% of automobiles that run on gasoline. A slightly quieter ride might be expected in hybrid vehicles or vehicles with smaller 4-cylinder engines. Alternatively, high-performance vehicles like Ferraris can produce more than 100 decibels, especially in lower gears.
Wind resistance
The whooshing and hissing sounds caused by wind passing over your car can significantly add to the total noise level, even in relatively quiet cars. Studies have shown that bicyclists encounter about 85 decibels of wind resistance at only 15 MPH, rising to 120 decibels at 60 MPH. Driving with the windows down can have a noticeable impact on your hearing, particularly since cars encounter increased wind resistance.
Increased traffic leads to louder sounds
Each passing vehicle, even on multi-lane freeways, 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 risk of hearing loss while driving with windows down by following these steps.
- Take breaks during long drives, varying between windows open and closed.
- For convertible owners, shutting the windows while keeping the top down can decrease sound to safer levels.
- Use smartphone applications to track the levels of noise in regular traffic situations (avoid utilizing them when driving a vehicle).
- Keep windows up in heavy traffic to minimize extended exposure to loud noises exceeding 100 decibels.
- Avoid drowning out traffic noise with loud music, as it can worsen hearing damage.
- If riding a motorcycle or bicycle, invest in helmets designed to reduce traffic noise.
- It’s important to keep a close eye on your hearing health, especially if you regularly drive with the windows up.
Essentially, driving with the windows open can expose you to a range of potentially damaging sounds, including the roar of the engine and rushing wind, which might pose a threat to your auditory health.
By embracing preventative measures, you can safeguard your hearing while enjoying the freedom of open-road driving.
If you are concerned about hearing loss caused by noise, please get in touch with us today.