Summer has finally arrived!
This summer season has a lot of fun. But keep the health of your hearing in mind before you head out for a day on the beach, a rocking concert, or maybe an enjoyable backyard barbecue.
Loud noises can damage your hearing, even if you don’t feel like they’re that loud. During the summer you’re much more likely to be exposed to loud sounds, so it’s very important to take the right steps to safeguard your hearing.
One of the most significant steps is using earplugs, especially under certain conditions.
Going for a swim
Bacteria and parasites love water and can even live in relatively clean pools potentially leading to swimmer’s ear. You can stop infections by keeping water out of your ears and earplugs can help you do this.
Polluted water getting into your ears, while usually not a serious problem, can have some unwanted repercussions. It can result in inflammation, pain, and even temporary hearing loss.
Left untreated, infections can cause damage to the eardrum and the fragile inner workings of the ear.
If you’re going into a hot tub or pool it will be impossible to avoid all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get some protection by wearing a set of swimmers earplugs.
Concerts and live performances
Attending a concert is always a good time, especially in the summer months. Because the performers are trying to reach such a large audience, however, volume levels are usually really high.
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 trigger immediate and lasting hearing loss.
Earplugs are designed to decrease sound, not distort it. The degree of sound that can be stopped by earplugs will be determined by an NRR rating of between 20 and 33. An NRR of 20 will lower the sound by 20 dB. So a 120-dB concert will be reduced to around 100 dB.
But that amount of sound can still potentially damage your hearing.
Protecting your hearing will mean utilizing a higher NRR the closer to the speakers you will be standing. Within 15 minutes, you can experience permanent hearing damage even if you make use of the highest level of protection. Use earplugs and stand well away from the speakers for optimum protection.
The same applies to indoor concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, barbecues, festivals, or other events where sounds are being amplified through speakers.
property maintenance
The grass is going to keep growing so mowing will be required pretty much weekly. You routinely 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.
Your hearing will definitely be damaged by the volume level of yard equipment. Earplugs will help reduce the noise from these tools and safeguard 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. On the 4th of July, we will all be celebrating our nation’s independence. But fireworks have a negative side. The noise they produce can be in excess of 175 dB. If you shot a gun right near your head it would be around this volume.
You’ll definitely want earplugs if you’re attending a big fireworks show. If you’re near to the action, the highest NRR rating is advisable. You’ll protect your hearing from damage and the fireworks will still be loud enough.
Safeguarding your ears is important
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is extreme to seek help. Most people most likely won’t even realize that their hearing is gradually going until it’s too late, and regrettably, it’s irreversible. Contact us right away so we can help you determine any risks you might have.
