Summer is here!
That means it’s time to go out and enjoy all the fun experiences that the season has to offer. But before you go to the beach, the concert, or the backyard cookout, don’t forget to take care of your hearing.
Loud noises can harm your hearing, even if you don’t think they’re that loud. So it’s essential to take measures to safeguard your ears, particularly during the summer months when you’re more likely to be exposed to loud noises.
Here are some activities that are best enjoyed with earplugs.
Swimming
Parasites and bacteria love water and can even live in relatively clean pools potentially leading to swimmer’s ear. You can stop infections by keeping your ears dry and earplugs can help you do this.
While pool-borne illness is rarely serious, contaminated water getting inside of your ear canal can have harmful effects. It can lead to swelling, pain, and even temporary hearing loss.
The eardrum and also the delicate inner workings of the ear can be damaged by untreated infections.
If you are going into a hot tub or pool it won’t be possible to avoid all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get a level of protection by wearing a set of swimmers earplugs.
Live performances and concerts
Attending a concert is always fun, especially in the summer months. Because the performers are attempting to reach such a big audience, however, noise levels are often off the charts.
Depending on where you’re standing at the venue, you could be exposed to as many as 120 decibels (dB). These volume levels can instantly trigger hearing loss that can be permanent.
Earplugs are fashioned to decrease sound, not distort it. The level of sound that can be blocked by earplugs will be determined 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 lowered to around 100 dB.
However, that’s still a potentially damaging level.
Protecting your hearing will mean using a higher NRR the closer to the speakers you will be standing. 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. Wear earplugs and stand at a distance from the speakers for optimum protection.
The same applies to indoor concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, cook-outs, celebrations, or other events where sounds are being amplified through speakers.
property maintenance
The grass will keep growing so mowing will be necessary pretty much every week. You regularly edge the flowerbeds and weed the steps to keep your yard from looking like a mess. Then you keep the long grass in check with a weed-whacker.
Power equipment and other yard equipment can be really loud, and prolonged exposure can and will harm your hearing. The noise from this equipment can be reduced and your ears can be protected by using earplugs.
If you’re mowing the lawn without earplugs, you’re gradually damaging your ears and it will become more obvious over time.
Independence Day
They’re a key aspect of Independence Day. When July arrives, it’s time to celebrate the birth of our country. But fireworks have a negative side. The noise they produce can exceed 175 dB. If you fired a gun right near your head it would be about this volume.
You’ll absolutely 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 still be able to hear the fireworks and they’ll still be loud, but you’ll be safeguarding your hearing from future hearing loss.
Protecting your ears 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 happens so slowly, most people don’t realize they’re damaging their hearing. Give us a call right away so we can help you determine any risks you may have.