Finally, it’s summertime!!
That means it’s time to go out and enjoy all the exciting experiences that the season has to offer. But don’t forget about your hearing’s health before you go out for a day on the beach, a rocking concert, or perhaps a great backyard get-together.
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 appropriate steps to safeguard your hearing.
One of the most significant steps is utilizing earplugs, especially under certain conditions.
Going for a swim
Bacteria and parasites love water and can even live in fairly clean pools potentially leading to swimmer’s ear. You can stop infections by keeping water out of your ears and earplugs can help you do this.
Contaminated water getting inside of your ears, while usually not a serious issue, can have some negative repercussions. It can lead to inflammation, pain, and even temporary hearing loss.
Left unaddressed, infections can lead to damage to the eardrum and the delicate inner workings of the ear.
If you’re going into a hot tub or pool it will be impossible to avoid all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get a level of protection by wearing a set of swimmers earplugs.
Live performances and concerts
Summertime is the ideal time for a night of live music. But live concerts are typically very loud.
You might be exposed to over 120dB of volume depending on the spot that you’re standing. These volume levels can immediately trigger hearing loss that can be permanent.
Earplugs are designed to decrease sound, not distort it. Earplugs have an NRR rating with a range of 20 to 33, which determines the strength of the protection. An NRR of 20 will lower the sound by 20 dB. So if you’re attending a concert with 120dB of sound, it will be reduced to 100dB.
But that degree of sound can still potentially harm your hearing.
Safeguarding your hearing will mean using a higher NRR the closer to the speakers you will be standing. Within 15 minutes, you can develop permanent hearing damage even if you use the highest level of protection. Use earplugs and stand well away from the speakers for optimum protection.
This doesn’t just 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
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.
Your hearing will definitely be damaged by the loud volume of yard equipment. Earplugs will help lessen the noise from these tools and protect your hearing.
If you aren’t using earplugs when you run the mower, over time, you will be noticeably causing hearing loss.
Independence Day
It wouldn’t be Independence Day without them. When July arrives, it’s time to celebrate the independence of our country. But fireworks have a negative side. The noise they create can exceed 175 dB. If you shot a gun right next to your head it would be around this volume.
You’ll definitely want earplugs if you’re going to a big fireworks show. If you’re near to the action, the highest NRR rating is advisable. You’ll still be able to hear the fireworks and they will still be loud, but you’ll be safeguarding your ears from future hearing loss.
It’s important to safeguard your ears
Seek help before your hearing loss becomes extreme. Most individuals probably won’t even realize that their hearing is gradually going until it’s too late, and unfortunately, it’s irreversible. Get your hearing assessed regularly by us to identify your risk level.
