Finally, it’s summer!!
This summer season has a lot of fun. 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 get-together.
When you’re out enjoying summer, do keep in mind that your hearing can be damaged by loud noises. So it’s important to take measures to protect your ears, especially during the summer months when you’re more likely to experience loud noises.
Here are some activities that are best experienced with earplugs.
Swimming
Even in clean pools, there can be parasites and bacteria that can cause swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep water out of your ears and stop infection.
Contaminated water getting inside of your ears, while normally not a serious issue, can have some negative consequences. Short-term hearing loss, pain, and swelling can be the consequence.
The eardrum and also the fragile inner workings of the ear can be damaged by neglected infections.
If you’re going into a hot tub or pool it won’t be possible to steer clear of all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get a level of protection by wearing a set of swimmers earplugs.
Live performances and concerts
Going to a concert is always a good time, especially during the summer. But live concerts are typically very loud.
You might be exposed to over 120dB of sound depending on where you’re standing. These volume levels can immediately trigger 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 reduce 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 harmful level.
Safeguarding your hearing will mean using a higher NRR the closer to the speakers you will be standing. Within 15 minutes, you can develop irreversible hearing damage even if you make use of the highest level of protection. For the highest level of protection, stand far away from the speakers and use earplugs.
This doesn’t only pertain to concerts, it’s also true for things like festivals, movies, plays, sporting events, and any other event where sound will be amplified through speakers.
Yard work
The grass will continue o grow so mowing will be required pretty much every week. You take steps like 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 reduce the noise from these tools and protect your hearing.
If you’re not wearing earplugs when you operate the mower, over time, you will be noticeably doing 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 there’s a dark side to fireworks. The noise they produce can be in excess of 175 dB. That’s the volume of a pistol being fired right beside your head!
You’ll absolutely want earplugs if you’re going to a big fireworks show. If you’re near to the action, the highest NRR rating is recommended. You’ll protect your ears from damage and the fireworks will still sound loud enough.
It’s important to protect your ears
Get help before your hearing loss becomes extreme. Hearing loss related to loud noise can’t be corrected and since it takes place so gradually, most people don’t realize they’re harming their hearing. Contact us right away so we can help you determine any risks you may have.