Finally, it’s summertime!!
That means it’s time to get out and partake in all of the exciting activities that the season has to offer. But keep the health of your hearing in mind before you head out for a day on the beach, a rocking concert, or perhaps a great backyard barbecue.
When you’re out appreciating summer, don’t forget that your hearing can be harmed by loud noises. So it’s essential to take steps to protect your ears, especially during the summer months when you’re more likely to be exposed to loud noises.
Here are several activities that are best experienced with earplugs.
Going for a swim
Even in clean pools, there can be bacteria and parasites that can cause 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 usually not a serious issue, can have some adverse consequences. It can lead to inflammation, pain, and even short-term hearing loss.
The eardrum and also the fragile inner workings of the ear can be damaged by neglected infections.
It’s not possible to completely stay away from all pathogens in hot tubs or pools, but using swimming earplugs will help protect your ears.
Concerts and live performances
Attending a concert is always fun, particularly during the summer. Because the entertainers are attempting to reach such a big audience, however, volume levels are often off the charts.
Depending on where 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 will block some of that sound but won’t distort it. Earplugs have an NRR rating with a range of 20 to 33, which determines the strength of the protection. 20dB of sound will be stopped by earplugs with a 20 NRR rating. So a 120-dB concert will be reduced to around 100 dB.
However, that’s still a potentially damaging level.
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 get the highest level of hearing protection, you will still be exposed to sounds loud enough to cause irreversible hearing damage within 15 minutes. For the highest level of protection, stand a distance from the speakers and use earplugs.
This doesn’t just apply to concerts, it’s also true for things like festivals, movies, plays, sporting events, and any other event where sound will be amplified through speakers.
Yard work
You do it each week, but the grass keeps growing. You take steps such as edging flower beds and weeding the gardens so your yard looks great. Then you utilize a weed-whacker to clean up around the trees.
Your hearing will definitely be damaged by the loud volume of yard equipment. Earplugs will help lessen the noise from these tools and safeguard your hearing.
If you’re mowing the lawn without earplugs, you’re slowly damaging your ears and it will become more apparent over time.
Independence Day
They’re a key aspect of Independence Day. 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 make can exceed 175 dB. That’s the volume of a gun being fired right beside your head!
You’ll absolutely want earplugs if you’re going to a large fireworks show. You should get the highest NRR rated earplugs, especially 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 seek help. Hearing loss related to loud noise can’t be corrected and since it occurs so slowly, most people don’t realize they’re harming their hearing. Get your hearing checked regularly by us to determine your risk level.
