Summer has finally arrived!
That means it’s time to go out and enjoy all the exciting experiences that the season has to offer. But don’t forget about your hearing’s health before you go out for a day on the beach, a rocking concert, or maybe an enjoyable backyard get-together.
Loud noises can harm your hearing, even if you don’t feel like they’re very loud. In the summer you’re a lot more likely to be exposed to loud sounds, so it’s very important to take the appropriate steps to safeguard your hearing.
One of the most important steps is using earplugs, especially under certain conditions.
Going for a swim
Even in clean pools, there can be parasites and bacteria that can trigger swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep water out of your ears and stop infection.
While pool-borne illness isn’t usually serious, contaminated water getting into your ear canal can have harmful effects. It can cause inflammation, pain, and even temporary hearing loss.
The eardrum and also the delicate inner workings of the ear can be damaged by untreated infections.
It’s not possible to totally stay away from all pathogens in hot tubs or pools, but using swimming earplugs will help protect your ears.
Live performances and concerts
Attending a concert is always fun, particularly during the summer. But live concerts are usually very loud.
Depending on the spot that you’re standing at the venue, you may be exposed to as much as 120dB of sound. That’s enough to lead to instant and permanent hearing loss.
Earplugs will stop some of that sound but won’t distort it. Earplugs have an NRR rating with a range of 20 to 33, which establishes 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 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 highest level of protection, stand far away 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 boosted through speakers.
Yard work
You do it each week, but the grass continues to grow. You routinely edge the flowerbeds and weed the steps to keep your yard from looking messy. Then you utilize a weed-whacker to touch up around the trees.
Power equipment and other yard equipment can be very loud, and prolonged exposure can and will harm your hearing. Earplugs will help reduce the noise from these tools and protect your hearing.
If you’re not using earplugs when you operate the mower, over time, you will be observably causing hearing loss.
Independence Day
They’re an essential aspect of Independence Day. When July comes around, it’s time to celebrate the birth of our nation. But fireworks have a dark side. They can produce up to 175dB of noise. If you fired a gun right next to your head it would be about this volume.
If you’re attending a show in which the fireworks are thunderous and recurring, you’ll absolutely need earplugs. If you’re close to the action, the highest NRR rating is advisable. You’ll safeguard your hearing from damage and the fireworks will still be loud enough.
Protecting your ears is important
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is severe to seek help. Hearing loss related to loud noise can’t be reversed and since it happens so gradually, most people don’t recognize they’re harming their hearing. Contact us right away so we can help you determine any risks you might have.
