Summer has finally arrived!
This summer season has a lot of fun. But before you hit the beach, the concert, or the backyard barbecue, remember to take care of your hearing.
When you’re out appreciating summer, don’t forget that your hearing can be damaged by loud noises. In the summer you’re much more likely to be exposed to loud sounds, so it’s really important to take the appropriate steps to safeguard your hearing.
Here are a few activities that are best experienced with earplugs.
Going for a swim
Even in clean pools, there can be parasites and bacteria that can trigger swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep your ears dry and stop infection.
While pool-borne illness isn’t usually serious, contaminated water getting inside of your ear canal can have unhealthy effects. Temporary hearing loss, pain, and inflammation can be the result.
The eardrum and also the delicate inner workings of the ear can be damaged by untreated infections.
It’s impossible to totally avoid all pathogens in pools or hot tubs, but wearing swimming earplugs will help safeguard your ears.
Live performances and concerts
Summertime is the ideal time for an evening of live music. Because the entertainers are attempting to reach such a big audience, however, volume levels are usually really high.
Depending on the spot that you’re standing at the venue, you could be exposed to as many as 120 decibels (dB). These volume levels can instantly cause hearing loss that can be permanent.
Earplugs will block 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 a 120-dB concert will be lowered to around 100 dB.
But that degree of sound can still potentially damage your hearing.
Protecting your hearing will mean using a higher NRR the closer to the speakers you will be standing. Even if you get the highest level of hearing protection, you will still be subjected to sounds loud enough to trigger permanent hearing damage within 15 minutes. For the best protection, stand far away from the speakers and wear earplugs.
The same goes for indoor concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, barbecues, festivals, or other events where sounds are being boosted through speakers.
Yard work
You do it every week, but the grass keeps growing. You take steps such as edging flower beds and weeding the gardens so your yard looks great. Then you use a weed-whacker to touch up around the trees.
Your hearing will certainly be compromised by the volume level of yard equipment. Earplugs will help decrease the noise from these tools and safeguard your hearing.
If you’re not wearing earplugs when you use the mower, over time, you will be observably doing hearing loss.
Independence Day
They’re an essential part of Independence Day. When July comes around, it’s time to celebrate the birth of our country. But fireworks have a dark side. They can create up to 175dB of noise. That’s the volume of a pistol being discharged right next to your head!
If you’re attending a display where the fireworks are booming and repeating, you’ll certainly need earplugs. If you’re near to the action, the highest NRR rating is recommended. You’ll still hear the fireworks and they’ll still be loud, but you’ll be safeguarding your hearing from future hearing loss.
Protecting your hearing is important
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is profound to seek help. Hearing loss caused by loud noise can’t be corrected and since it takes place so gradually, most people don’t recognize they’re harming their hearing. Call us right away so we can help you determine any risks you may have.
