Summer has finally arrived!
That means it’s time to get out and enjoy all the exciting experiences that the season has to offer. But before you hit the beach, the concert, or the backyard barbecue, remember to protect your hearing.
Loud noises can damage your hearing, even if you don’t think they’re that loud. So it’s important to take measures to protect your ears, particularly during the summer months when you’re more likely to be exposed to loud noises.
Here are some activities that are best enjoyed with earplugs.
Swimming
Even in clean pools, there can be parasites and bacteria that can lead to swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep your ears dry and prevent infection.
Contaminated water getting into your ears, while usually not a serious problem, can have some unwanted consequences. It can lead to swelling, pain, and even short-term hearing loss.
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.
Live performances and concerts
Attending a concert is always a good time, especially in the summer months. But live concerts are usually really loud.
You might be exposed to more than 120dB of volume depending on where you’re standing. That’s enough to trigger instant and permanent hearing loss.
Earplugs are designed to reduce sound, not distort it. Earplugs have an NRR rating with a range of 20 to 33, which determines the strength of the protection. 20dB of sound will be stopped by earplugs with a 20 NRR rating. So if you’re at a concert with 120dB of sound, it will be lowered to 100dB.
But that amount of sound can still potentially damage your hearing.
The closer to the speaker you are, the higher NRR you’ll require to protect 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. For the best protection, stand a distance from the speakers and use earplugs.
The same goes for indoor concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, cook-outs, celebrations, or other events where sounds are being boosted through speakers.
Yard work
You do it each week, but the grass continues to grow. You regularly edge the flowerbeds and weed the steps to keep your yard from looking like a mess. Then you keep the long grass in check with a weed-whacker.
Your hearing will certainly be compromised by the loud volume of yard equipment. The noise from this equipment can be decreased and your ears can be protected by using earplugs.
If you aren’t using earplugs when you operate the mower, over time, you will be observably causing hearing loss.
Independence Day
It wouldn’t be Independence Day without them. On the 4th of July, we will all be celebrating our country’s independence. But fireworks have a dark side. The noise they produce can exceed 175 dB. That’s the volume of a pistol being discharged right next to your head!
If you’re attending a display in which the fireworks are thunderous and recurring, you’ll definitely need earplugs. You should acquire the highest NRR rated earplugs, especially if you’re close. You’ll safeguard your hearing from damage and the fireworks will still be loud enough.
Protecting your ears is important
Get help before your hearing loss becomes extreme. Hearing loss related to loud noise can’t be reversed and since it happens so gradually, most people don’t realize they’re damaging their hearing. Give us a call right away so we can help you identify any risks you might have.