Finally, it’s summertime!!
This summer season has a lot of fun. But don’t forget about your hearing’s health before you go out for a day on the beach, a rocking concert, or perhaps an enjoyable backyard barbecue.
When you’re out appreciating summer, do keep in mind that your hearing can be harmed by loud noises. So it’s important to take steps to protect your ears, particularly during the summer months when you’re more likely to experience loud noises.
One of the most important steps is utilizing earplugs, especially under certain conditions.
Swimming
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 prevent infection.
While pool-borne infection is rarely serious, contaminated water getting into your ear canal can have unhealthy effects. It can result in 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 will be impossible to avoid all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get some protection by using a pair of swimmers earplugs.
Concerts and live performances
Summertime is the best time for an evening of live music. But live concerts are usually very loud.
You might be exposed to more than 120dB of sound depending on the spot that you’re standing. These volume levels can instantly trigger hearing loss that can be permanent.
Earplugs are fashioned to decrease sound, not distort it. The degree of sound that can be stopped 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 if you’re at a concert with 120dB of sound, it will be reduced to 100dB.
But that amount of sound can still potentially harm your hearing.
Protecting 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 subjected 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 wear earplugs.
This doesn’t just pertain 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 continues to grow. 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.
Power equipment and other yard tools can be really loud, and sustained 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 not wearing earplugs when you use the mower, over time, you will be noticeably causing hearing loss.
Independence Day
They’re an essential aspect of Independence Day. On the 4th of July, we will all be celebrating our nation’s independence. But fireworks have a negative side. They can create up to 175dB of noise. If you fired a gun right near your head it would be around this volume.
If you’re going to a show in which the fireworks are thunderous and repeating, you’ll definitely need earplugs. If you’re near to the action, the highest NRR rating is suggested. You’ll still hear the fireworks and they will still be loud, but you’ll be protecting your hearing from future hearing loss.
It’s important to protect your hearing
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is profound to get help. Hearing loss caused by loud noise can’t be corrected and since it happens so gradually, most people don’t recognize they’re damaging their hearing. Have your hearing checked routinely by us to determine your risk level.