Summer is here!
This summer season has tons of fun. But before you go to the beach, the concert, or the backyard cookout, don’t forget to take care of your hearing.
When you’re out appreciating summer, remember 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 very important to take the right steps to protect your hearing.
One of the most significant steps is utilizing earplugs, particularly under certain conditions.
Going for a swim
Even in clean pools, there can be bacteria and parasites that can trigger swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep water out of your ears and prevent infection.
While pool-borne sickness is rarely serious, polluted water getting into your ear canal can have harmful effects. It can lead to inflammation, pain, and even short-term hearing loss.
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.
Live performances and concerts
Summertime is the ideal time for a night of live music. But live concerts are usually really loud.
You could be exposed to more than 120dB of volume depending on where you’re standing. That’s enough to lead to instant 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 reduce the sound by 20 dB. So a 120-dB concert will be reduced to around 100 dB.
But that amount of sound can still potentially damage your hearing.
The closer to the speaker you are, the higher NRR you’ll need to protect your ears and prevent irreversible hearing damage. Within 15 minutes, you can experience permanent hearing damage even if you use the highest level of protection. Use earplugs and stand well away from the speakers for best protection.
This doesn’t just pertain to concerts, it’s also relevant 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 continues to grow. You regularly edge the flowerbeds and weed the steps to keep your yard from looking like a mess. Then you utilize a weed-whacker to clean up around the trees.
Your hearing will definitely be compromised by the loud volume of yard equipment. Earplugs will help decrease the noise from these tools and protect your hearing.
If you’re mowing without earplugs, you’re slowly damaging your hearing and it will become more evident 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 fireworks have a negative side. They can generate up to 175dB of noise. If you shot a gun right near your head it would be around this volume.
If you’re going to a display in which the fireworks are thunderous and recurring, you’ll certainly need earplugs. You should acquire the highest NRR rated earplugs, particularly if you’re close. You’ll still be able to hear the fireworks and they’ll still be loud, but you’ll be safeguarding your hearing from future hearing loss.
It’s important to safeguard your ears
Get help before your hearing loss becomes extreme. Hearing loss caused by loud noise can’t be corrected and since it takes place so slowly, most people don’t realize they’re damaging their hearing. Contact us right away so we can help you identify any risks you may have.
