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 perspective on these questions.
Imagine this: It is a peaceful morning, with the clock showing 7:45 AM. As the highway stretches out before you, nearly empty of traffic, you settle into an unhurried 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 fuel?
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 very loud. British researchers conducted tests using different makes of vehicles, ranging from Mazdas to Aston Martins, during times when there was minimal traffic, driving at speeds of 50, 60, and 70 miles per hour.
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 triggering long-term damage to one’s hearing?
Indeed, exposure to 85 decibels over an 8-hour period can lead to permanent hearing loss.
In congested traffic conditions where exposure exceeds 100 decibels, hearing damage can occur within a mere 15 minutes.
What factors create a rise in volume levels when windows are open?
While your car might seem noisy, a number of factors can exacerbate the decibel levels.
Engine and vehicle types
Most gas engines produce about 85 decibels of noise caused by the rapid explosions in their cylinders, representing roughly 80% of gas-powered automobiles. However, hybrids, electric cars, or smaller sized 4-cylinder engines might provide a quieter ride. Conversely, high-performance automobiles like Ferraris can generate more than 100 decibels, especially in lower gears.
Wind resistance
Air rushing past your vehicle can generate noticeable whistling and whooshing noises, adding significantly to the overall ambient sound, even in cars known 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 research. Driving with the windows down can have a noticeable effect on your hearing, especially since cars encounter increased wind resistance.
Traffic magnifies noise
Every passing vehicle, even on multi-lane highways, contributes to noise amplification. In addition to the noise of the engine, you are also exposed to the rush of air created by other cars passing by, which adds to a louder overall environment.
How to minimize risks and ensure safe driving strategies
Decrease the threat of hearing loss while driving with windows open by following these guidelines.
- Remember to take breaks while on long road trips by going 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 track the levels of noise in typical traffic situations (avoid using them when operating a vehicle).
- Keep windows up in heavy traffic to minimize extended exposure to loud noises exceeding 100 decibels.
- To safeguard your hearing, avoid blasting music to hide traffic sounds.
- When operating a motorcycle or bicycle, think about purchasing helmets that are especially made to reduce the effect of traffic noise.
- It’s important to keep a close watch on your hearing health, especially if you frequently drive with the windows up.
Essentially, driving with the windows rolled down can expose you to a variety of potentially harmful sounds, including the rumble of the engine and rushing wind, which might pose a threat to your auditory health.
Taking steps to protect your ears can help you maintain your hearing while still enjoying the thrill of driving with the windows down.
If you are worried about hearing loss caused by noise, please get in touch with us today.
