Finally, it’s summer!!
This summer season offers a lot of fun. But before you go to the beach, the concert, or the backyard barbecue, don’t forget to protect your hearing.
When you’re out appreciating summer, do keep in mind that your hearing can be damaged by loud noises. So it’s important to take measures 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, especially under certain conditions.
Going for a swim
Bacteria and parasites love water and can even live in relatively clean pools potentially resulting in swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep water out of your ears and stop infection.
Polluted water getting into your ears, while usually not a serious issue, can have some adverse repercussions. Temporary hearing loss, pain, and swelling can be the result.
The eardrum and also the fragile inner workings of the ear can be damaged by untreated infections.
If you’re going into a hot tub or pool it will be impossible to avoid all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get a level of protection by using a set of swimmers earplugs.
Live performances and concerts
Summer is the ideal time for a night of live music. But live concerts are typically very loud.
Depending on the spot that you’re standing at the venue, you might be exposed to as much as 120dB of sound. These volume levels can instantly trigger hearing loss that can be permanent.
Earplugs are fashioned to decrease sound, not distort it. The amount of sound that can be stopped by earplugs will be determined by an NRR rating of between 20 and 33. 20dB of sound will be blocked by earplugs with a 20 NRR rating. So if you’re at a concert with 120dB of sound, it will be lowered to 100dB.
But that degree of sound can still potentially damage your hearing.
The closer you are to a speaker, the higher NRR you’ll require to protect your ears and prevent permanent hearing damage. Within 15 minutes, you can develop irreversible hearing damage even if you use the highest level of protection. 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 is going to keep growing so mowing will be required pretty much every week. You regularly edge the flowerbeds and weed the steps to keep your yard from looking messy. Then you use a weed-whacker to clean up around the trees.
Power equipment and other yard equipment can be very loud, and sustained exposure can and will harm your hearing. Earplugs will help reduce the noise from these tools and protect your hearing.
If you’re not wearing earplugs when you use the mower, over time, you will be noticeably doing hearing loss.
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 fireworks have a negative side. The noise they produce can be in excess of 175 dB. That’s the volume of a pistol being fired right beside your head!
If you’re attending a display in which the fireworks are thunderous and repeating, you’ll absolutely need earplugs. You should acquire the highest NRR rated earplugs, particularly if you’re close. You’ll protect your hearing from damage and the fireworks will still be loud enough.
It’s important to protect your ears
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is significant to get help. Hearing loss related to loud noise can’t be corrected and since it occurs so slowly, most people don’t realize they’re harming their hearing. Give us a call right away so we can help you determine any risks you might have.