Summer has finally arrived!
This summer season offers a lot of fun. But don’t forget about your hearing’s health before you go out for a day on the beach, a rocking concert, or maybe an enjoyable backyard barbecue.
Loud noises can harm your hearing, even if you don’t feel like they’re very loud. So it’s essential to take steps to protect your ears, especially during the summer months when you’re more likely to experience loud noises.
One of the most significant steps is utilizing earplugs, particularly under certain conditions.
Swimming
Even in clean pools, there can be bacteria and parasites that can result in swimmer’s ear. You can stop infections by keeping your ears dry and earplugs can help you do this.
Polluted water getting into your ears, while normally not a serious issue, can have some unwanted repercussions. It can result in swelling, pain, and even temporary hearing loss.
The eardrum and also the fragile inner workings of the ear can be damaged by neglected infections.
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 pair of swimmers earplugs.
Live performances and concerts
Summer is the perfect time for a night of live music. But live concerts are typically very loud.
Depending on the spot that you’re standing at the venue, you might be exposed to as many as 120 decibels (dB). 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 identifies the strength of the protection. An NRR of 20 will reduce the sound by 20 dB. So if you’re at a concert with 120dB of sound, it will be lowered to 100dB.
However, that’s still a potentially damaging level.
Safeguarding your hearing will mean utilizing a higher NRR the closer to the speakers you will be standing. Within 15 minutes, you can develop permanent hearing damage even if you make use of the highest level of protection. For the best protection, stand far away from the speakers and use earplugs.
The same goes for indoor concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, barbecues, celebrations, or other events where sounds are being boosted through speakers.
Yard work
You do it each week, but the grass continues to grow. You regularly edge the flowerbeds and weed the steps to keep your yard from looking messy. Then you keep the long grass in check with a weed-whacker.
Power tools and other yard tools can be very loud, and prolonged exposure can and will harm your hearing. Earplugs will help lessen the noise from these tools and safeguard your hearing.
If you’re mowing without earplugs, you’re slowly damaging your hearing and it will become more apparent over time.
Independence Day
They’re a key part of Independence Day. When July comes around, it’s time to celebrate the independence of our country. But fireworks have a dark side. They can produce up to 175dB of noise. If you shot a gun right near your head it would be about this volume.
If you’re attending a show in which the fireworks are thunderous and repeating, you’ll definitely need earplugs. You should acquire the highest NRR rated earplugs, particularly if you’re close. You’ll still hear the fireworks and they will still be loud, but you’ll be safeguarding your hearing from future hearing loss.
It’s important to safeguard your ears
Seek help before your hearing loss becomes extreme. Most people most likely won’t even realize that their hearing is gradually going until it’s too late, and regrettably, it’s irreversible. Get your hearing checked regularly by us to identify your risk level.
