Finally, it’s summer!!
This summer season has tons of fun. But before you hit the beach, the concert, or the backyard barbecue, don’t forget to protect your hearing.
When you’re out appreciating summer, remember that your hearing can be harmed by loud noises. So it’s essential to take steps to safeguard your ears, especially during the summer months when you’re more likely to be exposed to loud noises.
One of the most significant steps is utilizing earplugs, particularly under certain conditions.
Going for a swim
Even in clean pools, there can be parasites and bacteria that can cause swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep water out of your ears and prevent infection.
Polluted water getting inside of your ears, while normally not a serious problem, can have some unwanted repercussions. It can cause swelling, 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 impossible to completely stay away from all pathogens in hot tubs or pools, but using swimming earplugs will help safeguard your ears.
Concerts and live performances
Summertime is the best time for a night of live music. Because the performers are trying to reach such a large audience, however, noise levels are often off the charts.
You may be exposed to over 120dB of volume depending on where you’re standing. That’s enough to trigger immediate and lasting hearing loss.
Earplugs are designed to reduce sound, not distort it. The level of sound that can be blocked by earplugs will be determined by an NRR rating of between 20 and 33. 20dB of sound will be blocked by earplugs with a 20 NRR rating. So if you’re attending a concert with 120dB of sound, it will be reduced to 100dB.
But that amount of sound can still potentially harm your hearing.
Safeguarding your hearing will mean utilizing a higher NRR the closer to the speakers you will be standing. Within 15 minutes, you can experience permanent hearing damage even if you make use of the highest level of protection. Wear earplugs and stand well away from the speakers for optimum protection.
The same goes for indoor concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, barbecues, festivals, or other events where sounds are being boosted through speakers.
Yard work
The grass will keep growing so mowing will be necessary pretty much weekly. You take steps like edging flower beds and weeding the gardens so your yard looks great. Then you keep the long grass in check with a weed-whacker.
Power tools and other yard equipment can be really 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 using 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. On the 4th of July, we will all be celebrating our nation’s independence. But there’s a dark side to fireworks. The noise they produce can be in excess of 175 dB. That’s the volume of a gun being fired right next to your head!
You’ll absolutely want earplugs if you’re going to a big fireworks show. If you’re close to the action, the highest NRR rating is suggested. You’ll still be able to hear the fireworks and they’ll still be loud, but you’ll be protecting your hearing from future hearing loss.
It’s important to protect your ears
Get help before your hearing loss becomes severe. Most people probably won’t even recognize that their hearing is slowly going until it’s too late, and regrettably, there’s no cure. Call us right away so we can help you identify any risks you might have.