Summer is here!
That means it’s time to get out and partake in all of 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 an enjoyable backyard barbecue.
When you’re out appreciating summer, remember that your hearing can be harmed by loud noises. In the summer you’re much more likely to be exposed to loud sounds, so it’s very important to take the appropriate steps to protect your hearing.
Here are a few activities that are best enjoyed with earplugs.
Swimming
Bacteria and parasites love water and can even live in relatively clean pools potentially resulting in swimmer’s ear. You can stop infections by keeping water out of your ears and earplugs can help you do this.
While pool-borne illness is rarely serious, polluted water getting into your ear canal can have unhealthy effects. It can lead to inflammation, pain, and even short-term hearing loss.
The eardrum and also the delicate inner workings of the ear can be damaged by neglected infections.
It’s not possible to completely avoid all pathogens in hot tubs or pools, but wearing swimming earplugs will help protect your ears.
Concerts and live performances
Going to a concert is always a good time, especially in the summer months. But live concerts are typically very loud.
Depending on the spot that you’re standing at the venue, you may be exposed to as many as 120 decibels (dB). That’s enough to lead to immediate and permanent hearing loss.
Earplugs will stop some of that sound but won’t distort it. The degree of sound that can be blocked by earplugs will be identified by an NRR rating of between 20 and 33. 20dB of sound will be stopped by earplugs with a 20 NRR rating. So if you’re attending 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 permanent hearing damage. Even if you acquire the highest level of hearing protection, you will still be exposed to sounds loud enough to trigger permanent hearing damage within 15 minutes. Use earplugs and stand well away from the speakers for best protection.
The same applies to indoor concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, barbecues, celebrations, or other events where sounds are being amplified through speakers.
Yard work
The grass is going to continue o grow so mowing will be necessary pretty much every week. You take steps like edging flower beds and weeding the gardens so your yard looks great. Then you utilize a weed-whacker to clean up around the trees.
Power equipment and other yard equipment can be really loud, and sustained exposure can and will damage your hearing. Earplugs will help decrease the noise from these tools and protect your hearing.
If you’re mowing the lawn without earplugs, you’re slowly damaging your hearing and it will become more obvious over time.
Independence Day
It wouldn’t be Independence Day without them. When July comes around, it’s time to celebrate the birth of our country. But there’s a dark side to fireworks. The noise they create can exceed 175 dB. That’s the volume of a pistol being fired right next to your head!
If you’re attending a show in which the fireworks are thunderous and repeating, you’ll definitely need earplugs. You should get the highest NRR rated earplugs, particularly if you’re close. You’ll protect your hearing from damage and the fireworks will still sound loud enough.
It’s important to safeguard your hearing
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is significant to seek help. Hearing loss related to loud noise can’t be reversed and since it occurs so gradually, most people don’t realize they’re damaging their hearing. Call us right away so we can help you identify any risks you may have.