Finally, it’s summer!!
This summer season has a lot of fun. But before you hit the beach, the concert, or the backyard cookout, remember to protect your hearing.
Loud noises can harm your hearing, even if you don’t feel like they’re that loud. During the summer you’re a lot more likely to be exposed to loud sounds, so it’s really important to take the right steps to safeguard your hearing.
One of the most significant steps is using earplugs, especially under certain conditions.
Swimming
Even in clean pools, there can be bacteria and parasites that can result in swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep your ears dry and stop infection.
Contaminated water getting into your ears, while usually not a serious problem, can have some negative repercussions. Short-term hearing loss, pain, and inflammation can be the consequence.
Left untreated, infections can lead to damage to the eardrum and the delicate inner workings of the ear.
If you are going into a hot tub or pool it will be impossible to steer clear of 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 perfect time for a night of live music. Because the performers are trying to reach such a large audience, however, noise levels are usually really high.
Depending on where you’re standing at the venue, you might be exposed to as many as 120 decibels (dB). That’s enough to lead to immediate and permanent hearing loss.
Earplugs are designed to decrease sound, not distort it. Earplugs have an NRR rating with a range of 20 to 33, which identifies the strength of the protection. 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.
But that degree of sound can still potentially harm your hearing.
The closer you are to a speaker, the higher NRR you’ll require to protect your ears and prevent irreversible hearing damage. Even if you acquire the highest level of hearing protection, you will still be exposed to sounds loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage within 15 minutes. Use earplugs and stand at a distance from the speakers for optimum protection.
This doesn’t just apply 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
The grass will continue o grow so mowing will be necessary pretty much every week. You regularly edge the flowerbeds and weed the steps to keep your yard from looking messy. Then you utilize a weed-whacker to clean up around the trees.
Power tools and other yard tools can be really loud, and sustained exposure can and will harm your hearing. The noise from this equipment can be decreased and your ears can be protected by wearing earplugs.
If you’re mowing without earplugs, you’re gradually damaging your ears and it will become more evident over time.
Independence Day
They’re an essential part of Independence Day. On the 4th of July, we will all be celebrating our nation’s independence. But there’s a dark side to fireworks. They can produce up to 175dB of noise. If you fired a gun right next to your head it would be about this volume.
You’ll definitely want earplugs if you’re going to a big fireworks show. You should acquire the highest NRR rated earplugs, particularly if you’re close. You’ll protect your ears from damage and the fireworks will still be loud enough.
Safeguarding your ears is important
Get help before your hearing loss becomes profound. Most people probably won’t even realize that their hearing is gradually going until it’s too late, and regrettably, it’s irreversible. Call us right away so we can help you identify any risks you might have.