Finally, it’s summertime!!
That means it’s time to go out and partake in all of the fun experiences that the season has to provide. But keep the health of your hearing in mind before you go out for a day on the beach, a rocking concert, or perhaps a great backyard barbecue.
When you’re out appreciating summer, do keep in mind that your hearing can be harmed by loud noises. So it’s essential to take steps to protect your ears, especially during the summer months when you’re more likely to experience loud noises.
Here are some activities that are best experienced with earplugs.
Going for a swim
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 stop infection.
While pool-borne sickness is rarely serious, contaminated water getting inside of your ear canal can have harmful effects. Short-term hearing loss, pain, and swelling can be the outcome.
The eardrum and also the fragile inner workings of the ear can be damaged by neglected infections.
If you are going into a hot tub or pool it won’t be possible to steer clear of all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get some protection by wearing a set of swimmers earplugs.
Concerts and live performances
Going to a concert is always a good time, especially during the summer. Because the performers are attempting to reach such a big audience, however, volume levels are usually really high.
Depending on where you’re standing at the venue, you might be exposed to as much as 120dB of sound. That’s enough to cause immediate and lasting 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. An NRR of 20 will lower the sound by 20 dB. So a 120-dB concert will be reduced to around 100 dB.
However, that’s still a potentially damaging level.
The closer to the speaker you are, the higher NRR you’ll require to safeguard your ears and prevent permanent hearing damage. Even if you get the highest level of hearing protection, you will still be exposed to sounds loud enough to trigger irreversible hearing damage within 15 minutes. 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, festivals, or other events where sounds are being boosted through speakers.
Yard work
The grass will continue o grow so mowing will be necessary pretty much every week. You take measures such as edging flower beds and weeding the gardens so your yard looks nice. Then you keep the long grass under control with a weed-whacker.
Power tools and other yard equipment can be very loud, and sustained exposure can and will damage your hearing. The noise from this equipment can be decreased and your ears can be protected by wearing earplugs.
If you’re not wearing 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. When July comes around, it’s time to celebrate the independence of our nation. But fireworks have a negative side. The noise they create can be in excess of 175 dB. That’s as loud as a pistol being fired right next to your head!
If you’re attending a show in which the fireworks are booming and repeating, you’ll absolutely need earplugs. You should get the highest NRR rated earplugs, especially if you’re close. You’ll safeguard your ears from damage and the fireworks will still sound loud enough.
Safeguarding your ears is important
Seek help before your hearing loss becomes severe. Hearing loss related to loud noise can’t be corrected and since it occurs so slowly, most people don’t realize they’re damaging their hearing. Have your hearing assessed routinely by us to identify your risk level.