Finally, it’s summer!!
This summer season has tons of fun. But before you hit 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 important to take steps to protect your ears, especially during the summer months when you’re more likely to experience loud noises.
Here are some activities that are best experienced with earplugs.
Swimming
Even in clean pools, there can be bacteria and parasites that can result in swimmer’s ear. You can prevent infections by keeping your ears dry and earplugs can help you do this.
While pool-borne infection is rarely serious, contaminated water getting inside of your ear canal can have harmful effects. Short-term hearing loss, pain, and swelling can be the outcome.
Left untreated, infections can lead to damage to the eardrum and the fragile inner workings of the ear.
If you are going into a hot tub or pool it will be impossible to steer clear of all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get a level of protection by using a set of swimmers earplugs.
Concerts and live performances
Attending a concert is always fun, particularly in the summer months. But live concerts are typically very loud.
You might be exposed to more than 120dB of sound depending on where you’re standing. That’s enough to trigger instant and lasting hearing loss.
Earplugs will stop some of that sound but won’t 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 blocked by earplugs with a 20 NRR rating. So a 120-dB concert will be lowered to around 100 dB.
But that degree 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. Even if you get the highest level of hearing protection, you will still be exposed to sounds loud enough to trigger 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 boosted through speakers.
property maintenance
The grass will keep growing so mowing will be necessary pretty much every week. You take measures such as edging flower beds and weeding the gardens so your yard looks great. Then you use a weed-whacker to touch up around the trees.
Your hearing will definitely be compromised by the loud volume of yard equipment. The noise from this equipment can be decreased and your ears can be safeguarded by using earplugs.
If you’re mowing the lawn without earplugs, you’re slowly damaging your hearing and it will become more noticeable over time.
Independence Day
They’re a key aspect of Independence Day. When July comes around, it’s time to celebrate the birth of our nation. But there’s a dark side to fireworks. They can generate up to 175dB of noise. That’s as loud as a gun being discharged right next to your head!
If you’re attending a show in which the fireworks are thunderous and repeating, you’ll definitely need earplugs. You should acquire 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.
Protecting your hearing is important
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is severe to seek help. Hearing loss caused by loud noise can’t be corrected and since it happens so gradually, most people don’t recognize they’re harming their hearing. Have your hearing assessed regularly by us to determine your risk level.