Summer has finally arrived!
This summer season has tons of fun. 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 very loud. So it’s essential to take steps to safeguard your ears, especially during the summer months when you’re more likely to be exposed to loud noises.
One of the most important steps is utilizing earplugs, particularly under certain conditions.
Going for a swim
Even in clean pools, there can be parasites and bacteria that can result in swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep your ears dry and prevent infection.
Contaminated water getting into your ears, while usually not a serious issue, can have some unwanted repercussions. It can cause inflammation, pain, and even temporary hearing loss.
Left untreated, infections can result in damage to the eardrum and the delicate inner workings of the ear.
It’s impossible to completely avoid all pathogens in hot tubs or pools, but wearing swimming earplugs will help protect your ears.
Live performances and concerts
Going to a concert is always a good time, especially during the summer. But live concerts are typically very loud.
Depending on the spot that you’re standing at the venue, you might be exposed to as many as 120 decibels (dB). These volume levels can immediately cause hearing loss that can be permanent.
Earplugs are designed to decrease 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 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.
Safeguarding your hearing will mean using a higher NRR the closer to the speakers you will be standing. Within 15 minutes, you can experience permanent hearing damage even if you make use of the highest level of protection. For the highest level of protection, stand far away from the speakers and wear 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.
property maintenance
You do it every week, but the grass keeps growing. You take steps like edging flower beds and weeding the gardens so your yard looks nice. Then you keep the long grass in check with a weed-whacker.
Your hearing will certainly be compromised by the loud volume of yard equipment. The noise from this equipment can be decreased and your ears can be safeguarded by wearing earplugs.
If you’re not using earplugs when you run the mower, over time, you will be noticeably doing hearing loss.
Independence Day
They’re an essential part of Independence Day. On the 4th of July, we will all be celebrating our country’s independence. But fireworks have a negative side. They can create up to 175dB of noise. That’s the volume of a pistol being discharged right next to your head!
You’ll absolutely want earplugs if you’re attending a large fireworks show. If you’re close to the action, the highest NRR rating is recommended. You’ll still be able to hear the fireworks and they will still be loud, but you’ll be safeguarding your hearing from future hearing loss.
Safeguarding your ears is important
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is significant to seek help. Hearing loss caused by loud noise can’t be reversed and since it occurs so slowly, most people don’t realize they’re damaging their hearing. Have your hearing assessed regularly by us to determine your risk level.