Summer is here!
This summer season has tons of fun. But before you hit the beach, the concert, or the backyard barbecue, don’t forget to take care of your hearing.
When you’re out enjoying summer, do keep in mind that your hearing can be damaged 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 using earplugs, particularly under certain conditions.
Going for a swim
Bacteria and parasites love water and can even live in relatively clean pools potentially resulting in swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep your ears dry and stop infection.
Contaminated water getting inside of your ears, while usually not a serious issue, can have some unwanted repercussions. Temporary hearing loss, pain, and swelling can be the consequence.
The eardrum and also the delicate inner workings of the ear can be damaged by untreated infections.
If you’re going into a hot tub or pool it won’t be possible to avoid all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get some protection by using a set of swimmers earplugs.
Concerts and live performances
Going to a concert is always a good time, especially during the summer. Because the entertainers are attempting to reach such a large audience, however, volume levels are usually really high.
You could be exposed to more than 120dB of sound depending on the spot that you’re standing. That’s enough to cause immediate 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. 20dB of sound will be stopped by earplugs with a 20 NRR rating. So a 120-dB concert will be reduced to around 100 dB.
However, that’s still a potentially damaging level.
Protecting your hearing will mean utilizing a higher NRR the closer to the speakers you will be standing. Within 15 minutes, you can experience irreversible hearing damage even if you use the highest level of protection. For the highest level of protection, stand far away from the speakers and wear earplugs.
This doesn’t only apply to concerts, it’s also true for things like festivals, movies, plays, sporting events, and any other event where sound will be boosted through speakers.
Yard work
You do it every week, but the grass keeps growing. 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.
Power tools and other yard equipment can be very loud, and sustained exposure can and will damage your hearing. Earplugs will help lessen the noise from these tools and protect your hearing.
If you aren’t wearing earplugs when you run the mower, over time, you will be observably doing hearing loss.
Independence Day
It wouldn’t be Independence Day without them. When July arrives, it’s time to celebrate the independence of our country. But there’s a negative side to fireworks. The noise they make can exceed 175 dB. If you shot a gun right near your head it would be about this volume.
You’ll absolutely want earplugs if you’re going to a large fireworks show. You should get the highest NRR rated earplugs, especially if you’re close. You’ll still hear the fireworks and they will still be loud, but you’ll be protecting your hearing from future hearing loss.
It’s important to protect your hearing
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is profound to seek help. Most individuals probably won’t even realize that their hearing is slowly going until it’s too late, and regrettably, it’s irreversible. Contact us right away so we can help you determine any risks you may have.