Summer has finally arrived!
This summer season offers a lot of fun. But before you hit 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. So it’s important to take steps to safeguard your ears, especially during the summer months when you’re more likely to experience loud noises.
Here are several activities that are best enjoyed with earplugs.
Swimming
Parasites and bacteria love water and can even live in relatively clean pools potentially leading to swimmer’s ear. You can prevent infections by keeping water out of your ears and earplugs can help you do this.
Polluted water getting into your ears, while usually not a serious problem, can have some unwanted repercussions. It can cause swelling, 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 will be impossible to avoid all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get some protection by using a pair of swimmers earplugs.
Concerts and live performances
Attending a concert is always fun, especially in the summer months. But live concerts are typically really loud.
You may be exposed to over 120dB of volume depending on where you’re standing. These volume levels can instantly trigger hearing loss that can be permanent.
Earplugs will stop some of that sound but won’t distort it. The amount of sound that can be stopped by earplugs will be established by an NRR rating of between 20 and 33. 20dB of sound will be stopped by earplugs with a 20 NRR rating. So a 120-dB concert will be lowered to around 100 dB.
However, that’s still a potentially damaging level.
The closer you are to a speaker, the higher NRR you’ll require to protect your ears and prevent irreversible hearing damage. Even if you get the highest level of hearing protection, you will still be exposed to sounds loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage within 15 minutes. Use earplugs and stand well away from the speakers for optimum protection.
The same goes for indoor concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, barbecues, celebrations, or other events where sounds are being boosted through speakers.
property maintenance
You do it every week, but the grass keeps growing. You take measures like 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 tools can be very loud, and prolonged exposure can and will harm your hearing. The noise from this equipment can be decreased and your ears can be protected by wearing earplugs.
If you aren’t using earplugs when you use the mower, over time, you will be observably doing hearing loss.
Independence Day
They’re a key part of Independence Day. When July arrives, it’s time to celebrate the birth of our nation. But fireworks have a dark side. The noise they create can exceed 175 dB. If you fired a gun right near your head it would be around this volume.
If you’re going to a show where the fireworks are thunderous and recurring, you’ll definitely need earplugs. You should get the highest NRR rated earplugs, particularly if you’re close. You’ll safeguard your hearing from damage and the fireworks will still sound loud enough.
Protecting your hearing is important
Seek help before your hearing loss becomes extreme. Most people most likely won’t even realize that their hearing is gradually 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.
