Finally, it’s summer!!
That means it’s time to go out and partake in all of the exciting activities that the season has to provide. 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.
When you’re out appreciating summer, don’t forget that your hearing can be damaged by loud noises. So it’s important to take measures to protect your ears, particularly during the summer months when you’re more likely to be exposed to loud noises.
One of the most important steps is utilizing earplugs, especially under certain conditions.
Swimming
Parasites and bacteria love water and can even live in relatively clean pools potentially leading to swimmer’s ear. You can stop infections by keeping water out of your ears and earplugs can help you do this.
While pool-borne infection is rarely serious, contaminated water getting inside of your ear canal can have unhealthy effects. Short-term hearing loss, pain, and inflammation can be the outcome.
Left untreated, infections can cause damage to the eardrum and the delicate inner workings of the ear.
If you are 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 some protection by using a set of swimmers earplugs.
Live performances and concerts
Going to a concert is always a good time, particularly during the summer. Because the performers are trying to reach such a big audience, however, noise levels are often really high.
You may be exposed to over 120dB of volume depending on where you’re standing. That’s enough to trigger instant and permanent hearing loss.
Earplugs are fashioned to reduce sound, not distort it. The amount of sound that can be blocked by earplugs will be identified by an NRR rating of between 20 and 33. An NRR of 20 will reduce the sound by 20 dB. So a 120-dB concert will be reduced to around 100 dB.
However, that’s still a potentially damaging level.
Protecting your hearing will mean utilizing a higher NRR the closer to the speakers you will be standing. Even if you get 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 a distance from the speakers and use earplugs.
The same applies to indoor concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, cook-outs, festivals, or other events where sounds are being boosted through speakers.
property maintenance
The grass is going to continue o grow so mowing will be necessary pretty much every week. You regularly edge the flowerbeds and weed the steps to keep your yard from looking like a mess. Then you keep the long grass under control with a weed-whacker.
Power equipment and other yard equipment can be very loud, and sustained exposure can and will damage your hearing. The noise from this equipment can be reduced and your ears can be protected by using earplugs.
If you aren’t using earplugs when you operate the mower, over time, you will be noticeably doing 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 nation. But fireworks have a negative side. They can create up to 175dB of noise. That’s the volume of a gun being discharged right next to your head!
You’ll absolutely want earplugs if you’re attending a big fireworks show. If you’re near to the action, the highest NRR rating is advisable. You’ll still hear the fireworks and they’ll still be loud, but you’ll be protecting your hearing from future hearing loss.
Safeguarding your ears is important
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is extreme to seek help. Most individuals probably won’t even recognize that their hearing is gradually going until it’s too late, and unfortunately, it’s irreversible. Have your hearing assessed routinely by us to identify your risk level.