Finally, it’s summertime!!
This summer season has a lot of fun. But before you hit 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 damaged by loud noises. So it’s essential to take measures to protect your ears, particularly during the summer months when you’re more likely to experience loud noises.
Here are some activities that are best experienced with earplugs.
Going for a swim
Parasites and bacteria love water and can even live in fairly clean pools potentially leading to swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep your ears dry and stop infection.
Contaminated water getting inside of your ears, while usually not a serious issue, can have some unwanted consequences. It can result in swelling, pain, and even short-term hearing loss.
Left unaddressed, infections can lead to 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 steer clear of all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get a level of protection by wearing a set of swimmers earplugs.
Concerts and live performances
Summer is the best time for a night of live music. But live concerts are typically really loud.
Depending on where you’re standing at the venue, you could be exposed to as many as 120 decibels (dB). That’s enough to cause immediate and permanent hearing loss.
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 identifies the strength of the protection. 20dB of sound will be blocked by earplugs with a 20 NRR rating. So if you’re attending a concert with 120dB of sound, it will be reduced to 100dB.
However, that’s still a potentially damaging level.
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 develop permanent hearing damage even if you use the highest level of protection. Wear earplugs and stand at a distance from the speakers for best protection.
This doesn’t only pertain 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 will continue o grow so mowing will be necessary pretty much every week. You take measures such as edging flower beds and weeding the gardens so your yard looks great. Then you keep the long grass under control with a weed-whacker.
Power tools and other yard equipment can be very loud, and prolonged exposure can and will harm your hearing. The noise from this equipment can be decreased and your ears can be protected by using earplugs.
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 aspect 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 make can be in excess of 175 dB. That’s the volume of a gun being fired right beside your head!
If you’re going to a display in which the fireworks are booming and recurring, you’ll definitely need earplugs. You should get the highest NRR rated earplugs, especially if you’re close. You’ll protect your ears from damage and the fireworks will still be loud enough.
It’s important to safeguard your hearing
Seek help before your hearing loss becomes severe. Most people most likely won’t even recognize that their hearing is gradually going until it’s too late, and unfortunately, it’s irreversible. Get your hearing assessed routinely by us to determine your risk level.