Finally, it’s summer!!
This summer season offers tons of fun. But don’t forget about your hearing’s health before you head out for a day on the beach, a rocking concert, or perhaps an enjoyable backyard barbecue.
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 very important to take the right steps to safeguard your hearing.
Here are a few activities that are best enjoyed with earplugs.
Swimming
Even in clean pools, there can be bacteria and parasites that can cause swimmer’s ear. You can prevent infections by keeping water out of your ears and earplugs can help you do this.
Polluted water getting into your ears, while normally not a serious problem, can have some unwanted consequences. Temporary hearing loss, pain, and inflammation can be the result.
Left untreated, infections can result in damage to the eardrum and the fragile inner workings of the ear.
If you’re going into a hot tub or pool it won’t be possible to avoid all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get a level of protection by using a set of swimmers earplugs.
Live performances and concerts
Going to a concert is always fun, particularly in the summer months. But live concerts are typically really loud.
Depending on the spot that you’re standing at the venue, you could be exposed to as many as 120 decibels (dB). These volume levels can instantly cause hearing loss that can be permanent.
Earplugs will block some of that sound but won’t distort it. The amount of sound that can be blocked by earplugs will be determined by an NRR rating of between 20 and 33. 20dB of sound will be blocked by earplugs with a 20 NRR rating. 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 subjected to sounds loud enough to cause irreversible hearing damage within 15 minutes. Use earplugs and stand at a distance from the speakers for best protection.
The same goes for indoor concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, cook-outs, celebrations, or other events where sounds are being amplified through speakers.
property maintenance
You do it each week, but the grass continues to grow. You regularly edge the flowerbeds and weed the steps to keep your yard from looking like a mess. Then you utilize a weed-whacker to clean up around the trees.
Your hearing will definitely be damaged by the volume level of yard equipment. The noise from this equipment can be reduced and your ears can be protected by using earplugs.
If you’re mowing the lawn without earplugs, you’re gradually damaging your hearing and it will become more obvious over time.
Independence Day
It wouldn’t be Independence Day without them. When July arrives, it’s time to celebrate the birth of our nation. But fireworks have a negative side. They can generate up to 175dB of noise. That’s as loud as a pistol being discharged right beside your head!
You’ll definitely want earplugs if you’re attending a big fireworks show. You should get the highest NRR rated earplugs, especially if you’re close. You’ll protect your hearing from damage and the fireworks will still sound loud enough.
Protecting your hearing is important
Get help before your hearing loss becomes severe. Hearing loss related to loud noise can’t be reversed and since it takes place so slowly, most people don’t recognize they’re harming their hearing. Have your hearing checked routinely by us to determine your risk level.