Summer has finally arrived!
That means it’s time to go out and partake in all of the exciting experiences that the season has to offer. But before you hit the beach, the concert, or the backyard barbecue, don’t forget to take care of your hearing.
When you’re out enjoying summer, don’t forget that your hearing can be damaged by loud noises. During the summer you’re a lot more likely to be exposed to loud sounds, so it’s really important to take the appropriate steps to safeguard your hearing.
Here are a few activities that are best enjoyed with earplugs.
Going for a swim
Even in clean pools, there can be bacteria and parasites that can lead to swimmer’s ear. You can prevent infections by keeping water out of your ears and earplugs can help you do this.
Polluted water getting inside of your ears, while usually not a serious problem, can have some adverse consequences. Short-term hearing loss, pain, and inflammation can be the consequence.
Left unaddressed, infections can lead to damage to the eardrum and the fragile inner workings of the ear.
If you’re going into a hot tub or pool it won’t be possible to steer clear of all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get some protection by wearing a set of swimmers earplugs.
Live performances and concerts
Summertime is the perfect time for an evening of live music. But live concerts are usually really loud.
Depending on where you’re standing at the venue, you may be exposed to as many as 120 decibels (dB). That’s enough to cause instant and lasting hearing loss.
Earplugs are designed to reduce sound, not distort it. Earplugs have an NRR rating with a range of 20 to 33, which identifies the strength of the protection. 20dB of sound will be stopped by earplugs with a 20 NRR rating. So if you’re at 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 irreversible hearing damage within 15 minutes. Use earplugs and stand well away from the speakers for optimum protection.
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 amplified through speakers.
Yard work
The grass is going to keep growing so mowing will be required pretty much every week. You take steps such as edging flower beds and weeding the gardens so your yard looks great. Then you utilize a weed-whacker to touch up around the trees.
Your hearing will certainly be compromised by the loud volume of yard equipment. Earplugs will help decrease 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
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. They can generate up to 175dB of noise. That’s the volume of a gun being discharged right next to your head!
If you’re attending a show in which the fireworks are booming and repeating, you’ll definitely need earplugs. 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 sound loud enough.
Safeguarding your ears is important
Seek help before your hearing loss becomes extreme. Most people probably won’t even realize that their hearing is slowly going until it’s too late, and regrettably, there’s no cure. Get your hearing checked regularly by us to identify your risk level.
