Summer has finally arrived!
This summer season has tons 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 an enjoyable backyard get-together.
When you’re out appreciating summer, do keep in mind that your hearing can be damaged by loud noises. In the summer you’re much more likely to be exposed to loud sounds, so it’s really important to take the appropriate steps to safeguard your hearing.
Here are several activities that are best enjoyed with earplugs.
Swimming
Even in clean pools, there can be parasites and bacteria that can result in swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep water out of your ears and stop infection.
Polluted water getting inside of your ears, while normally not a serious problem, can have some adverse repercussions. Temporary hearing loss, pain, and inflammation can be the outcome.
Left untreated, infections can result in 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 pair of swimmers earplugs.
Live performances and concerts
Going to a concert is always fun, especially in the summer months. But live concerts are usually really loud.
Depending on the spot that you’re standing at the venue, you might be exposed to as much as 120dB of sound. That’s enough to cause instant and permanent hearing loss.
Earplugs are fashioned to decrease sound, not distort it. The amount of sound that can be blocked by earplugs will be identified by an NRR rating of between 20 and 33. An NRR of 20 will reduce the sound by 20 dB. So a 120-dB concert will be reduced to around 100 dB.
However, that’s still a potentially damaging level.
The closer to the speaker you are, the higher NRR you’ll require to protect your ears and prevent permanent hearing damage. Within 15 minutes, you can develop permanent hearing damage even if you make use of the highest level of protection. For the highest level of protection, stand far away from the speakers and wear earplugs.
This doesn’t only pertain to concerts, it’s also relevant for things like festivals, movies, plays, sporting events, and any other event where sound will be boosted through speakers.
Yard work
The grass is going to continue o grow so mowing will be required pretty much weekly. You take steps like edging flower beds and weeding the gardens so your yard looks great. Then you keep the long grass under control with a weed-whacker.
Power equipment and other yard tools can be very loud, and sustained exposure can and will damage your hearing. The noise from this equipment can be reduced and your ears can be protected by using earplugs.
If you’re not using earplugs when you operate the mower, over time, you will be observably causing hearing loss.
Independence Day
It wouldn’t be Independence Day without them. On the 4th of July, we will all be celebrating our country’s independence. But there’s a dark side to fireworks. The noise they produce can be in excess of 175 dB. If you shot a gun right next to your head it would be about this volume.
If you’re attending a display where the fireworks are booming and recurring, you’ll definitely need earplugs. 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 hearing is important
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is severe to get help. Hearing loss related to loud noise can’t be corrected and since it happens so slowly, most people don’t realize they’re damaging their hearing. Have your hearing checked regularly by us to identify your risk level.