Summer has finally arrived!
This summer season offers tons of fun. But before you hit the beach, the concert, or the backyard barbecue, remember to protect your hearing.
Loud noises can harm your hearing, even if you don’t think they’re very loud. So it’s essential to take measures to safeguard your ears, particularly during the summer months when you’re more likely to be exposed to loud noises.
Here are several activities that are best enjoyed with earplugs.
Swimming
Even in clean pools, there can be bacteria and parasites that can result in swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep water out of your ears and prevent infection.
Contaminated water getting into your ears, while usually not a serious problem, can have some adverse repercussions. Temporary hearing loss, pain, and inflammation can be the outcome.
Left untreated, infections can cause damage to the eardrum and the fragile inner workings of the ear.
It’s impossible to completely stay away from all pathogens in pools or hot tubs, but using swimming earplugs will help protect your ears.
Live performances and concerts
Going to a concert is always fun, especially in the summer months. Because the entertainers are attempting to reach such a large audience, however, noise levels are usually really high.
Depending on the spot that you’re standing at the venue, you may be exposed to as many as 120 decibels (dB). That’s enough to trigger immediate and permanent hearing loss.
Earplugs will stop some of that sound but won’t distort it. The degree of sound that can be blocked by earplugs will be established by an NRR rating of between 20 and 33. An NRR of 20 will lower the sound by 20 dB. So a 120-dB concert will be reduced to around 100 dB.
But that amount of sound can still potentially damage your hearing.
The closer you are to a speaker, the higher NRR you’ll require to safeguard your ears and prevent permanent hearing damage. Within 15 minutes, you can experience irreversible hearing damage even if you make use of the highest level of protection. Wear earplugs and stand at a distance from the speakers for best protection.
The same applies to indoor concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, barbecues, festivals, or other events where sounds are being boosted through speakers.
Yard work
You do it every week, but the grass continues to grow. You take measures such as edging flower beds and weeding the gardens so your yard looks nice. Then you use a weed-whacker to touch up around the trees.
Your hearing will definitely be compromised by the loud volume of yard equipment. The noise from this equipment can be decreased and your ears can be protected by wearing earplugs.
If you aren’t wearing earplugs when you operate the mower, over time, you will be observably 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 produce up to 175dB of noise. That’s as loud as a gun being discharged right beside your head!
If you’re attending a display where the fireworks are booming and repeating, you’ll absolutely need earplugs. If you’re close to the action, the highest NRR rating is suggested. You’ll still be able to hear the fireworks and they will still be loud, but you’ll be protecting your ears from future hearing loss.
It’s important to protect your hearing
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is extreme to get help. Most people most likely won’t even realize that their hearing is slowly going until it’s too late, and regrettably, there’s no cure. Have your hearing assessed routinely by us to identify your risk level.