Finally, it’s summer!!
That means it’s time to go out and partake in all of the exciting experiences that the season has to offer. But keep the health of your hearing in mind before you go 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 think they’re that loud. During the summer you’re much more likely to be exposed to loud sounds, so it’s really important to take the right steps to safeguard your hearing.
One of the most significant steps is using earplugs, particularly under certain conditions.
Swimming
Parasites and bacteria love water and can even live in relatively clean pools potentially resulting in swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep your ears dry and stop infection.
While pool-borne infection is rarely serious, polluted water getting inside of your ear canal can have unhealthy effects. Short-term hearing loss, pain, and swelling can be the result.
The eardrum and also the fragile 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 steer clear of all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get a level of protection by wearing a pair of swimmers earplugs.
Concerts and live performances
Summertime is the ideal time for an evening of live music. But live concerts are usually really loud.
You could 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 block some of that sound but won’t distort it. Earplugs have an NRR rating with a range of 20 to 33, which establishes the strength of the protection. An NRR of 20 will lower the sound by 20 dB. So a 120-dB concert will be lowered to around 100 dB.
However, that’s still a potentially harmful level.
Safeguarding 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 irreversible hearing damage within 15 minutes. For the best protection, stand a distance from the speakers and wear earplugs.
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.
property maintenance
You do it every week, but the grass keeps growing. You take steps like edging flower beds and weeding the gardens so your yard looks nice. Then you keep the long grass in check with a weed-whacker.
Your hearing will definitely be compromised by the loud volume of yard equipment. Earplugs will help lessen the noise from these tools and safeguard your hearing.
If you’re not using earplugs when you run the mower, over time, you will be noticeably causing hearing loss.
Independence Day
They’re an essential part of Independence Day. On the 4th of July, we will all be celebrating our country’s independence. But there’s a negative side to fireworks. They can produce up to 175dB of noise. That’s the volume of a gun being discharged right beside your head!
You’ll definitely 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 protect your hearing from damage and the fireworks will still sound loud enough.
Protecting your hearing is important
Get help before your hearing loss becomes profound. Most people probably won’t even realize that their hearing is gradually going until it’s too late, and regrettably, there’s no cure. Give us a call right away so we can help you determine any risks you might have.