Finally, it’s summertime!!
That means it’s time to get out and enjoy all the exciting experiences that the season has to offer. But keep the health of your hearing in mind before you head out for a day on the beach, a rocking concert, or perhaps an enjoyable backyard get-together.
Loud noises can damage your hearing, even if you don’t think they’re very loud. So it’s essential to take measures to safeguard your ears, particularly during the summer months when you’re more likely to experience loud noises.
One of the most significant steps is utilizing earplugs, especially under certain conditions.
Swimming
Bacteria and parasites love water and can even live in fairly clean pools potentially leading to swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep your ears dry and prevent infection.
Contaminated water getting inside of your ears, while normally not a serious issue, can have some unwanted consequences. It can cause 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.
It’s not possible to totally stay away from all pathogens in pools or hot tubs, but using swimming earplugs will help safeguard your ears.
Concerts and live performances
Going to a concert is always fun, particularly during the summer. Because the entertainers are trying to reach such a big audience, however, noise levels are usually really high.
Depending on the spot that you’re standing at the venue, you might be exposed to as many as 120 decibels (dB). These volume levels can instantly trigger hearing loss that can be permanent.
Earplugs will block some of that sound but won’t distort it. The amount of sound that can be stopped by earplugs will be determined by an NRR rating of between 20 and 33. An NRR of 20 will reduce the sound by 20 dB. So if you’re attending a concert with 120dB of sound, it will be lowered to 100dB.
However, that’s still a potentially harmful level.
Protecting your hearing will mean using a higher NRR the closer to the speakers you will be standing. Within 15 minutes, you can experience irreversible 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.
This doesn’t just apply to concerts, it’s also relevant for things like festivals, movies, plays, sporting events, and any other event where sound will be amplified through speakers.
Yard work
The grass is going to continue o grow so mowing will be required pretty much weekly. You routinely edge the flowerbeds and weed the steps to keep your yard from looking messy. Then you keep the long grass under control with a weed-whacker.
Power tools and other yard tools can be really loud, and sustained exposure can and will harm your hearing. Earplugs will help decrease the noise from these tools and safeguard your hearing.
If you’re mowing without earplugs, you’re slowly damaging your hearing and it will become more obvious over time.
Independence Day
It wouldn’t be Independence Day without them. When July arrives, it’s time to celebrate the independence of our nation. But there’s a dark side to fireworks. They can create up to 175dB of noise. That’s as loud as a gun being discharged right next to your head!
You’ll absolutely want earplugs if you’re attending a big fireworks show. You should acquire the highest NRR rated earplugs, especially if you’re close. You’ll protect your hearing from damage and the fireworks will still be loud enough.
Protecting your ears is important
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is severe to seek help. Most people most likely won’t even realize that their hearing is gradually going until it’s too late, and unfortunately, there’s no cure. Contact us right away so we can help you determine any risks you may have.
