Finally, it’s summertime!!
This summer season has tons of fun. But before you go to the beach, the concert, or the backyard barbecue, remember to take care of your hearing.
When you’re out appreciating summer, remember 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 be exposed to loud noises.
Here are a few activities that are best enjoyed with earplugs.
Swimming
Parasites and bacteria 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.
Polluted water getting inside of your ears, while normally not a serious problem, can have some unwanted consequences. It can result in inflammation, pain, and even short-term hearing loss.
The eardrum and also the delicate inner workings of the ear can be damaged by untreated infections.
It’s not possible to completely avoid all pathogens in pools or hot tubs, but using swimming earplugs will help protect your ears.
Concerts and live performances
Summertime is the best time for an evening of live music. Because the entertainers are attempting to reach such a big audience, however, noise levels are often off the charts.
You might be exposed to more than 120dB of volume depending on where you’re standing. These volume levels can instantly trigger hearing loss that can be permanent.
Earplugs are designed to decrease sound, not distort it. The degree of sound that can be blocked by earplugs will be established by an NRR rating of between 20 and 33. 20dB of sound will be stopped by earplugs with a 20 NRR rating. So if you’re at a concert with 120dB of sound, it will be reduced to 100dB.
However, that’s still a potentially harmful level.
Protecting your hearing will mean using a higher NRR the closer to the speakers you will be standing. Within 15 minutes, you can develop irreversible hearing damage even if you use the highest level of protection. Wear earplugs and stand at a distance from the speakers for optimum protection.
The same applies to indoor concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, cook-outs, festivals, or other events where sounds are being amplified through speakers.
Yard work
The grass will keep growing so mowing will be necessary pretty much weekly. You take steps such as edging flower beds and weeding the gardens so your yard looks nice. Then you keep the long grass under control with a weed-whacker.
Your hearing will certainly be compromised by the loud volume of yard equipment. The noise from this equipment can be reduced and your ears can be safeguarded by using earplugs.
If you’re mowing the lawn without earplugs, you’re gradually damaging your ears and it will become more apparent over time.
Independence Day
It wouldn’t be Independence Day without them. When July comes around, it’s time to celebrate the independence of our nation. But there’s a negative side to fireworks. They can produce up to 175dB of noise. That’s as loud as a pistol being fired right next to your head!
If you’re going to a display where the fireworks are thunderous and recurring, you’ll absolutely need earplugs. You should acquire the highest NRR rated earplugs, particularly if you’re close. You’ll safeguard your hearing from damage and the fireworks will still sound loud enough.
Safeguarding your hearing is important
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is severe to seek help. Most people most likely won’t even realize that their hearing is gradually going until it’s too late, and unfortunately, there’s no cure. Have your hearing assessed routinely by us to determine your risk level.