Is driving with the windows down harmful 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 concerns.
Picture this: It’s a serene early morning, the clock ticking at 7:45 AM. As the highway stretches 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 lovely day? After all, why waste valuable gas?
But the question is: Is driving with the windows rolled down potentially hazardous to your ears?
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.
Could this level of noise create a hazard of causing long-term damage to one’s hearing?
Certainly, exposure to 85 decibels over an 8-hour time frame can lead to 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 vehicle might seem loud, several factors can exacerbate the decibel levels.
A guide to engines and vehicle styles
The majority of gasoline-powered engines produce noise as a result of the swift combustion process occurring within their cylinders, which is a characteristic of about 80% of vehicles that run on gasoline. A slightly quieter ride might be expected in hybrid vehicles or vehicles with smaller 4-cylinder engines. Conversely, high-performance automobiles like Ferraris can generate over 100 decibels, particularly in lower gears.
Resistance to Wind
Air rushing past your vehicle can produce noticeable whistling and whooshing noises, contributing substantially to the overall ambient sound, even in cars recognized for their quiet ride. At only 15 MPH, cyclists experience 85 dB of wind noise, and at 60 MPH that volume increases to 120 dB, according to recent studies. Given that cars experience even greater wind resistance, driving with windows down can indeed impact your hearing.
Traffic magnifies noise
Every car that drives by in multiple lanes increases the total volume level. In addition to the noise of the engine, you are also exposed to the rush of air produced by other cars passing by, which adds to a louder overall environment.
How to minimize risks and ensure safe driving practices
If you enjoy driving with windows open, consider these steps to reduce hearing loss risks:
- Take breaks when you are on long drives, alternating between windows open and closed.
- One way for drivers of convertibles to minimize noise exposure is to put up the windows while leaving the roof open.
- Use smartphone applications to monitor the levels of noise in normal traffic situations (avoid utilizing them when driving a vehicle).
- Keep windows closed in heavy traffic to avoid extended exposure to loud noises surpassing 100 decibels.
- In order to safeguard your hearing, avoid blasting music to hide traffic sounds.
- If operating a motorcycle or bicycle, invest in helmets designed to mitigate traffic noise.
- It’s important to keep a close watch on your hearing health, especially if you frequently drive with the windows open.
Essentially, driving with the windows rolled down can subject you to a range of potentially harmful sounds, including the rumble of the engine and rushing wind, which may pose a risk to your auditory health.
By adopting preventative precaustions, you can protect your hearing while enjoying the freedom of open-road driving.
If you are worried about hearing loss caused by noise, please get in touch with us today.