Finally, it’s summertime!!
This summer season has a lot of fun. But before you go to the beach, the concert, or the backyard cookout, don’t forget to take care of your hearing.
When you’re out appreciating summer, remember that your hearing can be harmed by loud noises. 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 protect 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 prevent infection.
Polluted water getting into your ears, while normally not a serious issue, can have some adverse repercussions. Short-term hearing loss, pain, and swelling can be the result.
Left untreated, infections can lead to damage to the eardrum and the delicate inner workings of the ear.
It’s impossible to totally avoid all pathogens in hot tubs or pools, but using swimming earplugs will help safeguard your ears.
Concerts and live performances
Summer is the perfect time for an evening of live music. Because the entertainers are attempting to reach such a big audience, however, noise levels are often off the charts.
Depending on the spot that you’re standing at the venue, you could be exposed to as many as 120 decibels (dB). These volume levels can instantly cause hearing loss that can be permanent.
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 reduced to around 100 dB.
However, that’s still a potentially damaging level.
The closer to the speaker you are, the higher NRR you’ll require to protect your ears and prevent irreversible hearing damage. Within 15 minutes, you can develop permanent hearing damage even if you use the highest level of protection. Wear earplugs and stand well away from the speakers for optimum protection.
The same goes for indoor concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, cook-outs, festivals, or other events where sounds are being amplified through speakers.
property maintenance
The grass is going to continue o grow 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 utilize a weed-whacker to clean up around the trees.
Power tools and other yard equipment can be really loud, and sustained exposure can and will harm your hearing. Earplugs will help reduce the noise from these tools and safeguard your hearing.
If you’re mowing the lawn without earplugs, you’re gradually damaging your ears and it will become more apparent over time.
Independence Day
They’re an essential aspect of Independence Day. When July arrives, it’s time to celebrate the independence of our country. But there’s a dark side to fireworks. They can produce up to 175dB of noise. If you shot a gun right near your head it would be about this volume.
You’ll absolutely want earplugs if you’re going to a big fireworks show. You should get the highest NRR rated earplugs, especially if you’re close. You’ll still hear the fireworks and they will still be loud, but you’ll be safeguarding your hearing from future hearing loss.
It’s important to safeguard your hearing
Seek help before your hearing loss becomes extreme. Hearing loss related to loud noise can’t be corrected and since it occurs so gradually, most people don’t realize they’re harming their hearing. Get your hearing assessed routinely by us to determine your risk level.
