Summer has finally arrived!
This summer season offers 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, don’t forget that your hearing can be harmed by loud noises. So it’s essential to take measures to safeguard your ears, especially during the summer months when you’re more likely to experience loud noises.
One of the most important steps is utilizing earplugs, particularly under certain conditions.
Swimming
Even in clean pools, there can be parasites and bacteria that can result in swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep your ears dry and prevent infection.
While pool-borne illness is rarely serious, contaminated water getting inside of your ear canal can have unhealthy effects. Temporary hearing loss, pain, and inflammation can be the consequence.
Left unaddressed, infections can cause 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 steer clear of 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 a good time, especially during the summer. Because the performers are trying to reach such a large audience, however, volume levels are often off the charts.
You may be exposed to over 120dB of volume depending on where you’re standing. That’s enough to trigger instant and permanent hearing loss.
Earplugs will block some of that sound but won’t distort it. Earplugs have an NRR rating with a range of 20 to 33, which establishes the strength of the protection. 20dB of sound will be stopped by earplugs with a 20 NRR rating. So if you’re attending a concert with 120dB of sound, it will be reduced to 100dB.
However, that’s still a potentially harmful level.
Safeguarding your hearing will mean utilizing a higher NRR the closer to the speakers you will be standing. Even if you acquire the highest level of hearing protection, you will still be subjected to sounds loud enough to trigger permanent hearing damage within 15 minutes. Wear earplugs and stand well away from the speakers for best protection.
This doesn’t only apply 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 each week, but the grass continues to grow. You take steps like edging flower beds and weeding the gardens so your yard looks nice. Then you keep the long grass under control with a weed-whacker.
Power equipment and other yard tools can be very loud, and prolonged exposure can and will harm your hearing. Earplugs will help decrease the noise from these tools and protect your hearing.
If you’re not wearing earplugs when you run the mower, over time, you will be observably 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 there’s a dark side to fireworks. They can produce up to 175dB of noise. If you shot a gun right next to your head it would be about this volume.
You’ll definitely want earplugs if you’re attending a large fireworks show. You should acquire the highest NRR rated earplugs, especially if you’re close. You’ll still be able to hear the fireworks and they’ll still be loud, but you’ll be protecting your hearing from future hearing loss.
Protecting your hearing is important
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is severe to seek help. Hearing loss related to loud noise can’t be corrected and since it occurs so gradually, most people don’t realize they’re damaging their hearing. Get your hearing checked regularly by us to determine your risk level.