Summer has finally arrived!
This summer season has tons of fun. But don’t forget about your hearing’s health before you head out for a day on the beach, a rocking concert, or maybe a great backyard barbecue.
Loud noises can damage your hearing, even if you don’t feel like they’re very loud. So it’s essential to take measures to safeguard your ears, especially during the summer months when you’re more likely to experience loud noises.
Here are a few activities that are best enjoyed with earplugs.
Going for a swim
Bacteria and parasites love water and can even live in fairly clean pools potentially leading to swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep water out of your ears and stop infection.
While pool-borne infection is rarely serious, contaminated water getting inside of your ear canal can have harmful effects. Short-term hearing loss, pain, and swelling can be the consequence.
Left unaddressed, infections can result in damage to the eardrum and the delicate inner workings of the ear.
It’s not possible to totally avoid all pathogens in hot tubs or pools, but wearing swimming earplugs will help protect your ears.
Concerts and live performances
Summer is the perfect time for an evening of live music. Because the performers are attempting to reach such a large audience, however, volume levels are usually really high.
You could be exposed to over 120dB of volume depending on the spot that you’re standing. That’s enough to cause immediate and lasting hearing loss.
Earplugs are fashioned to decrease sound, not distort it. Earplugs have an NRR rating with a range of 20 to 33, which identifies the strength of the protection. 20dB of sound will be stopped by earplugs with a 20 NRR rating. So if you’re attending a concert with 120dB of sound, it will be lowered to 100dB.
But that degree of sound can still potentially damage your hearing.
The closer to the speaker you are, the higher NRR you’ll require to safeguard your ears and prevent permanent hearing damage. Within 15 minutes, you can experience permanent hearing damage even if you make use of the highest level of protection. Wear earplugs and stand at a distance from the speakers for best protection.
This doesn’t just apply to concerts, it’s also true 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 weekly. You routinely edge the flowerbeds and weed the steps to keep your yard from looking messy. Then you use a weed-whacker to clean up around the trees.
Your hearing will definitely be compromised by the volume level of yard equipment. Earplugs will help decrease the noise from these tools and safeguard your hearing.
If you’re mowing the lawn without earplugs, you’re gradually damaging your ears and it will become more noticeable over time.
Independence Day
They’re a key part of Independence Day. When July comes around, it’s time to celebrate the independence of our nation. But fireworks have a negative side. The noise they create can exceed 175 dB. That’s the volume of a gun being discharged right beside your head!
You’ll absolutely want earplugs if you’re attending a large fireworks show. If you’re near to the action, the highest NRR rating is recommended. You’ll still hear the fireworks and they will still be loud, but you’ll be protecting your ears from future hearing loss.
Safeguarding your hearing is important
Get help before your hearing loss becomes severe. Hearing loss caused by loud noise can’t be reversed and since it occurs so gradually, most people don’t recognize they’re damaging their hearing. Contact us right away so we can help you determine any risks you might have.