Finally, it’s summer!!
This summer season offers a lot of fun. But before you hit the beach, the concert, or the backyard cookout, don’t forget to protect your hearing.
Loud noises can harm your hearing, even if you don’t feel like they’re that loud. In the summer you’re much more likely to be exposed to loud sounds, so it’s really important to take the right steps to safeguard your hearing.
One of the most significant steps is using earplugs, particularly under certain conditions.
Swimming
Even in clean pools, there can be bacteria and parasites that can result in swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep your ears dry and stop infection.
While pool-borne infection is rarely serious, contaminated water getting inside of your ear canal can have unhealthy effects. It can cause inflammation, pain, and even short-term 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 won’t be possible to avoid all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get a level of protection by wearing a pair of swimmers earplugs.
Live performances and concerts
Summer is the ideal time for an evening of live music. But live concerts are typically really loud.
You could be exposed to more than 120dB of volume depending on where you’re standing. These volume levels can instantly cause hearing loss that can be permanent.
Earplugs will stop some of that sound but won’t distort it. The degree of sound that can be stopped 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 if you’re at a concert with 120dB of sound, it will be lowered to 100dB.
But that amount of sound can still potentially harm your hearing.
Safeguarding your hearing will mean using a higher NRR the closer to the speakers you will be standing. Within 15 minutes, you can experience irreversible hearing damage even if you use the highest level of protection. Wear earplugs and stand at a distance from the speakers for best protection.
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.
property maintenance
You do it every week, but the grass continues to grow. You routinely edge the flowerbeds and weed the steps to keep your yard from looking messy. Then you use a weed-whacker to touch up around the trees.
Your hearing will certainly be compromised by the loud volume of yard equipment. The noise from this equipment can be reduced and your ears can be safeguarded by wearing earplugs.
If you’re mowing without earplugs, you’re slowly damaging your ears and it will become more obvious over time.
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 dark side. The noise they make can be in excess of 175 dB. That’s as loud as a pistol being discharged right next to your head!
If you’re attending a show where the fireworks are thunderous and repeating, you’ll certainly need earplugs. If you’re near to the action, the highest NRR rating is advisable. You’ll still hear the fireworks and they’ll still be loud, but you’ll be safeguarding your ears from future hearing loss.
Safeguarding your ears is important
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is significant to get help. Hearing loss caused by loud noise can’t be corrected and since it takes place so slowly, most people don’t recognize they’re damaging their hearing. Contact us right away so we can help you identify any risks you may have.
