Finally, it’s summer!!
This summer season offers a lot of fun. But keep the health of your hearing in mind before you head out for a day on the beach, a rocking concert, or maybe a great backyard get-together.
Loud noises can damage your hearing, even if you don’t think they’re that loud. So it’s essential to take steps to protect your ears, especially during the summer months when you’re more likely to be exposed to loud noises.
Here are some activities that are best enjoyed with earplugs.
Going for a swim
Even in clean pools, there can be parasites and bacteria that can result in swimmer’s ear. You can stop infections by keeping water out of your ears and earplugs can help you do this.
Contaminated water getting into your ears, while normally not a serious problem, can have some negative consequences. It can lead to inflammation, pain, and even temporary hearing loss.
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 a level of protection by using a set of swimmers earplugs.
Live performances and concerts
Summertime is the best time for a night of live music. But live concerts are usually very loud.
Depending on where you’re standing at the venue, you may be exposed to as much as 120dB of sound. That’s enough to cause instant and lasting hearing loss.
Earplugs will block 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 blocked by earplugs with a 20 NRR rating. So if you’re at a concert with 120dB of sound, it will be reduced to 100dB.
However, that’s still a potentially damaging level.
Protecting your hearing will mean using a higher NRR the closer to the speakers you will be standing. Even if you acquire the highest level of hearing protection, you will still be exposed to sounds loud enough to trigger permanent hearing damage within 15 minutes. Use earplugs and stand well away from the speakers for best protection.
This doesn’t only 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
The grass will continue o grow so mowing will be required pretty much every week. You take steps like edging flower beds and weeding the gardens so your yard looks nice. Then you use a weed-whacker to clean up around the trees.
Your hearing will certainly be damaged by the loud volume of yard equipment. The noise from this equipment can be reduced and your ears can be protected by wearing earplugs.
If you’re not using earplugs when you use the mower, over time, you will be observably doing 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 country. But fireworks have a negative side. The noise they create can exceed 175 dB. That’s as loud as a gun being discharged right beside your head!
If you’re going to a show in which the fireworks are booming and recurring, you’ll absolutely need earplugs. If you’re close to the action, the highest NRR rating is suggested. You’ll still hear the fireworks and they will still be loud, but you’ll be protecting your ears from future hearing loss.
It’s important to safeguard your hearing
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is profound to seek help. Most individuals most likely won’t even realize that their hearing is gradually going until it’s too late, and regrettably, there’s no cure. Contact us right away so we can help you identify any risks you might have.