Can driving with open windows lead to permanent damage 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.
Envision this: It is a tranquil morning, with the clock showing 7:45 AM. With the freeway almost deserted, you cruise along at a comfortable 55 MPH, enjoying the refreshing breeze through your open windows. Isn’t it excessive to use the car’s air conditioner on such a lovely day? After all, why waste precious gas?
But the question is: Is driving with the windows rolled down potentially dangerous to your ears?
What the research says about driving with open windows
You don’t think it’s really loud. British scientists conducted trials using different types of vehicles, ranging from Mazdas to Aston Martins, during times when there was less traffic, traveling 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.
Does this noise level pose a risk of irreversible hearing damage?
Indeed, exposure to 85 decibels over an 8-hour time frame can lead to irreversible hearing loss.
Prolonged exposure to extremely loud noises, such as those surpassing 100 decibels in congested traffic, can result in hearing loss in as little as 15 minutes.
What factors create a rise in noise levels when windows are open?
While your car may seem loud, a number of factors can exacerbate the decibel levels.
A guide to engines and vehicle styles
The majority of gas engines generate about 85 decibels of noise due to the rapid explosions in their cylinders, representing approximately 80% of gas-powered vehicles. A somewhat quieter ride might be expected in hybrid vehicles or vehicles with smaller 4-cylinder engines. On the other hand, sports cars like Ferraris are capable of more than 100 decibels of noise, particularly when driving in lower gears.
Resistance to Wind
The whooshing and whistling sounds caused by wind passing over your vehicle can dramatically increase the total noise level, even in fairly quiet cars. At only 15 MPH, cyclists experience 85 dB of wind noise, and at 60 MPH that noise rises to 120 dB, according to recent research. Given that cars experience even more wind resistance, driving with windows down can certainly impact your hearing.
Traffic magnifies noise
Every passing vehicle, even on multi-lane freeways, contributes to noise amplification. Aside from the engine noise, you’re subjected to the wind resistance from passing cars, further boosting overall noise levels.
How to minimize risks and ensure safe driving strategies
Reduce the risk of hearing loss while driving with windows open by following these measures.
- Remember to take breaks while on long road trips by switching between having the windows up and down.
- One way for drivers of convertibles to reduce noise exposure is to put up the windows while leaving the roof open.
- Use cell phone apps to monitor noise levels in regular traffic conditions (never while driving).
- Keep windows up in heavy traffic to minimize extended exposure to loud noises surpassing 100 decibels.
- In order to safeguard your hearing, refrain from blasting music to mask traffic sounds.
- If operating a motorcycle or bicycle, invest in helmets designed to reduce traffic noise.
- It’s essential to keep a close eye on your hearing health, especially if you regularly drive with the windows open.
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 may pose a threat to your auditory well-being.
Taking measures to protect your ears can help you maintain your hearing while still taking pleasure in 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.