Summer is here!
This summer season offers a lot 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 maybe a great backyard barbecue.
When you’re out appreciating summer, remember that your hearing can be damaged by loud noises. During 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 protect your hearing.
One of the most significant steps is using earplugs, especially under certain conditions.
Swimming
Parasites and bacteria love water and can even live in relatively clean pools potentially leading to swimmer’s ear. You can prevent infections by keeping water out of your ears and earplugs can help you do this.
Contaminated water getting inside of your ears, while normally not a serious issue, can have some adverse consequences. It can cause swelling, pain, and even temporary hearing loss.
The eardrum and also the delicate inner workings of the ear can be damaged by neglected infections.
If you’re going into a hot tub or pool it won’t be possible to steer clear of all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get a level of protection by wearing a pair of swimmers earplugs.
Live performances and concerts
Summer is the ideal time for an evening of live music. Because the entertainers are attempting to reach such a big audience, however, volume levels are usually off the charts.
Depending on where you’re standing at the venue, you might be exposed to as many as 120 decibels (dB). These volume levels can immediately cause hearing loss that can be permanent.
Earplugs are fashioned to reduce 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.
But that amount of sound can still potentially damage your hearing.
The closer you are to a speaker, the higher NRR you’ll need to safeguard your ears and prevent irreversible hearing damage. Within 15 minutes, you can develop 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.
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.
Yard work
You do it every week, but the grass keeps growing. You regularly edge the flowerbeds and weed the steps to keep your yard from looking like a mess. Then you use a weed-whacker to clean up around the trees.
Your hearing will definitely be compromised by the volume level of yard equipment. The noise from this equipment can be decreased and your ears can be safeguarded by using earplugs.
If you’re mowing 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. 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 the volume of a gun being fired right next to your head!
You’ll absolutely want earplugs if you’re attending a large fireworks show. If you’re close to the action, the highest NRR rating is suggested. You’ll still hear the fireworks and they’ll still be loud, but you’ll be protecting your ears from future hearing loss.
Safeguarding your ears is important
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is severe to get help. Most individuals probably won’t even realize that their hearing is slowly going until it’s too late, and unfortunately, there’s no cure. Contact us right away so we can help you determine any risks you may have.