AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thousands of people visit Austin each year for the Formula 1 Pirelli United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas.
Watching the race cars loop the track and hearing their roaring engines can be a thrill, but fans should be cautious with their hearing.
According to Dr. Brittany Thompson, an audiologist with Baylor Scott and White Medical Center, it can cause hearing damage if you’re not careful.
“It can be immediate, especially if you’re real close to the raceway or on the line. When those cars go by, they’re so loud and close.”
How loud? Dr. Thompson says “with F1 it can get upwards of 140 decibels, which is close to like, a jet engine. It can cause immediate changes if you’re close enough, but over time as well.”
Everyone is prone to hearing loss, Thompson explained.
“About 24% of adults have noise-induced hearing loss, and around 13% of children.”
You can protect against hearing loss with foam ear plugs, muffs that cover the ears, or custom hearing protection provided by an audiologist.
The doctor advises people to look out for the warning signs of hearing loss, it can be immediate.
“When you leave the event, if you have ringing or buzzing, what we call tinnitus, that’s pretty much a telltale sign you’ve been doing damage,” Thompson said.
And the damage can’t be reversed.
“Once it’s gone, it’s gone with that type of loss,” Thompson warned.
