Finally, it’s summer!!
That means it’s time to get out and enjoy all the exciting activities that the season has to offer. But don’t forget about your hearing’s health before you head out for a day on the beach, a rocking concert, or perhaps a great backyard barbecue.
When you’re out enjoying summer, remember that your hearing can be harmed by loud noises. In the summer you’re a lot more likely to be exposed to loud sounds, so it’s really important to take the appropriate steps to safeguard your hearing.
One of the most important steps is utilizing earplugs, particularly under certain conditions.
Swimming
Even in clean pools, there can be parasites and bacteria that can lead to swimmer’s ear. You can prevent infections by keeping your ears dry and earplugs can help you do this.
Contaminated water getting into your ears, while normally not a serious problem, can have some adverse repercussions. Short-term hearing loss, pain, and swelling can be the outcome.
Left unaddressed, infections can lead to damage to the eardrum and the fragile inner workings of the ear.
If you’re going into a hot tub or pool it will be impossible to avoid all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get some protection by using a pair of swimmers earplugs.
Concerts and live performances
Summer is the perfect time for an evening of live music. Because the entertainers are attempting to reach such a large audience, however, noise levels are often really high.
You could be exposed to over 120dB of sound depending on where you’re standing. That’s enough to cause instant and lasting hearing loss.
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 if you’re at a concert with 120dB of sound, it will be reduced to 100dB.
But that degree of sound can still potentially harm your hearing.
Protecting your hearing will mean utilizing 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 exposed to sounds loud enough to trigger permanent hearing damage within 15 minutes. For the highest level of protection, stand a distance from the speakers and wear earplugs.
The same applies to indoor concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, barbecues, festivals, or other events where sounds are being amplified through speakers.
Yard work
You do it every week, but the grass keeps growing. You routinely edge the flowerbeds and weed the steps to keep your yard from looking messy. Then you keep the long grass in check with a weed-whacker.
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 mowing the lawn without earplugs, you’re gradually damaging your hearing and it will become more obvious over time.
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 there’s a negative side to fireworks. They can produce up to 175dB of noise. If you shot a gun right near your head it would be about this volume.
You’ll absolutely want earplugs if you’re attending a large fireworks show. You should acquire the highest NRR rated earplugs, particularly if you’re close. You’ll safeguard your ears from damage and the fireworks will still be loud enough.
Safeguarding your hearing is important
Get help before your hearing loss becomes severe. Hearing loss related to loud noise can’t be corrected and since it happens so slowly, most people don’t realize they’re harming their hearing. Get your hearing assessed regularly by us to identify your risk level.