Summer has finally arrived!
This summer season has a lot of fun. But before you go to the beach, the concert, or the backyard barbecue, don’t forget to take care of your hearing.
When you’re out enjoying summer, remember that your hearing can be harmed by loud noises. In the summer you’re a lot 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 important steps is using earplugs, especially under certain conditions.
Swimming
Even in clean pools, there can be bacteria and parasites 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.
While pool-borne sickness is rarely serious, polluted water getting into your ear canal can have unhealthy effects. It can lead to swelling, pain, and even short-term hearing loss.
Left untreated, infections can cause damage to the eardrum and the fragile inner workings of the ear.
If you are going into a hot tub or pool it won’t be possible to avoid all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get some protection by wearing a pair of swimmers earplugs.
Concerts and live performances
Going to a concert is always a good time, particularly during the summer. Because the entertainers are trying to reach such a big audience, however, noise levels are often really high.
Depending on where you’re standing at the venue, you may be exposed to as many as 120 decibels (dB). That’s enough to lead to instant and lasting hearing loss.
Earplugs are fashioned to reduce sound, not 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 reduce the sound by 20 dB. So a 120-dB concert will be reduced to around 100 dB.
But that degree of sound can still potentially harm your hearing.
Safeguarding your hearing will mean utilizing 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 highest level of protection, stand far away from the speakers and use earplugs.
This doesn’t only 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.
property maintenance
You do it each week, but the grass keeps growing. You routinely edge the flowerbeds and weed the steps to keep your yard from looking like a mess. Then you keep the long grass in check with a weed-whacker.
Your hearing will definitely be damaged by the volume level of yard equipment. The noise from this equipment can be decreased and your ears can be safeguarded by using earplugs.
If you aren’t using earplugs when you use the mower, over time, you will be noticeably causing hearing loss.
Independence Day
It wouldn’t be Independence Day without them. When July comes around, it’s time to celebrate the birth of our country. But fireworks have a dark side. The noise they produce can be in excess of 175 dB. That’s the volume of a pistol being discharged right next to your head!
If you’re attending a show in which the fireworks are booming and recurring, you’ll certainly need earplugs. If you’re near to the action, the highest NRR rating is recommended. You’ll still be able to hear the fireworks and they’ll still be loud, but you’ll be safeguarding 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. 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. Call us right away so we can help you determine any risks you might have.