Is driving with the windows down harmful to your hearing? Does it save on gas? Should you drive with your windows up or down? Here’s a fresh perspective on these questions.
Picture this: It’s a serene early morning, the clock ticking at 7:45 AM. As the freeway stretches out before you, almost 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, running the car’s air conditioner seems excessive, doesn’t it? 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
You don’t think it’s really loud. Researchers in the UK performed 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 danger of causing lasting harm to one’s hearing?
Indeed, exposure to 85 decibels over an 8-hour time frame can lead to irreversible hearing loss.
Prolonged exposure to extremely loud noises, like those exceeding 100 decibels in congested traffic, can cause hearing loss in as little as 15 minutes.
What factors contribute escalated noise with open windows?
Numerous aspects can increase the sound levels even while your vehicle may already seem noisy.
Engine and vehicle types
The majority of gasoline-powered engines generate noise as a result of the swift combustion process happening within their cylinders, which is a characteristic of about 80% of vehicles that run on gasoline. However, hybrids, electric cars, or smaller 4-cylinder engines might offer a quieter ride. Conversely, high-performance automobiles like Ferraris can produce over 100 decibels, especially in lower gears.
Resistance to Wind
The whooshing and hissing sounds caused by wind passing over your car can substantially increase the overall 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 research. Given that automobiles experience even greater wind resistance, driving with windows open can indeed impact your hearing.
Traffic amplifies noise
Each passing car, even on multi-lane freeways, contributes to noise amplification. Aside from the engine noise, you’re subjected to the wind resistance from passing vehicles, further boosting total noise levels.
How to mitigate risks and ensure safe driving practices
Decrease the threat of hearing loss while driving with windows down by following these measures.
- Take breaks when you are on long drives, alternating between windows up and down.
- One way for owners of convertibles to minimize noise exposure is to roll up the windows while leaving the roof open.
- Use smartphone applications to monitor the levels of noise in regular traffic conditions (avoid using them when driving a vehicle).
- Keep windows closed in heavy traffic to avoid prolonged exposure to loud noises surpassing 100 decibels.
- To protect your hearing, refrain from blasting music to hide traffic sounds.
- When operating a motorcycle or bicycle, think about purchasing helmets that are specifically designed to reduce the effect of traffic noise.
- It’s important to keep a close eye on your hearing health, particularly if you frequently drive with the windows open.
Essentially, driving with the windows rolled down can expose you to a variety of potentially harmful sounds, such as the roar of the engine and rushing wind, which may pose a threat to your auditory health.
By adopting precautionary precaustions, you can protect 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.