Finally, it’s summer!!
That means it’s time to go out and enjoy all the exciting activities that the season has to offer. But keep the health of your hearing in mind before you head out for a day on the beach, a rocking concert, or maybe a great backyard barbecue.
When you’re out enjoying summer, don’t forget that your hearing can be damaged by loud noises. During the summer you’re much more likely to be exposed to loud sounds, so it’s really important to take the appropriate steps to protect your hearing.
One of the most important steps is utilizing earplugs, especially under certain conditions.
Going for a swim
Bacteria and parasites love water and can even live in relatively clean pools potentially leading to swimmer’s ear. You can stop infections by keeping your ears dry and earplugs can help you do this.
Polluted water getting inside of your ears, while usually not a serious issue, can have some adverse consequences. Short-term hearing loss, pain, and inflammation can be the consequence.
The eardrum and also the delicate inner workings of the ear can be damaged by untreated infections.
It’s not possible to completely avoid all pathogens in pools or hot tubs, but wearing swimming earplugs will help safeguard your ears.
Concerts and live performances
Going to a concert is always a good time, particularly in the summer months. Because the entertainers are trying to reach such a large audience, however, volume levels are often really high.
Depending on where you’re standing at the venue, you may be exposed to as much as 120dB of sound. These volume levels can instantly cause hearing loss that can be permanent.
Earplugs will stop some of that sound but won’t distort it. Earplugs have an NRR rating with a range of 20 to 33, which determines the strength of the protection. An NRR of 20 will lower the sound by 20 dB. So if you’re at a concert with 120dB of sound, it will be lowered to 100dB.
However, that’s still a potentially damaging level.
The closer you are to a speaker, the higher NRR you’ll need to safeguard your ears and prevent irreversible hearing damage. Within 15 minutes, you can develop irreversible hearing damage even if you use the highest level of protection. Use earplugs and stand well away from the speakers for best protection.
The same applies to indoor concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, cook-outs, festivals, or other events where sounds are being amplified through speakers.
Yard work
The grass will keep growing so mowing will be required pretty much every week. You routinely edge the flowerbeds and weed the steps to keep your yard from looking messy. Then you use a weed-whacker to clean up around the trees.
Your hearing will definitely be damaged by the loud volume of yard equipment. Earplugs will help decrease the noise from these tools and safeguard your hearing.
If you’re not wearing earplugs when you operate the mower, over time, you will be noticeably causing hearing loss.
Independence Day
It wouldn’t be Independence Day without them. On the 4th of July, we will all be celebrating our nation’s independence. But fireworks have a dark side. The noise they make can be in excess of 175 dB. If you shot a gun right near your head it would be about this volume.
If you’re attending a show where the fireworks are thunderous and repeating, you’ll definitely need earplugs. If you’re close to the action, the highest NRR rating is suggested. You’ll safeguard your hearing from damage and the fireworks will still sound loud enough.
Safeguarding your ears is important
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is significant to get help. Most people most likely won’t even recognize that their hearing is gradually going until it’s too late, and unfortunately, it’s irreversible. Call us right away so we can help you identify any risks you might have.