Summer has finally arrived!
That means it’s time to get out and enjoy all the fun experiences that the season has to offer. But before you hit the beach, the concert, or the backyard barbecue, don’t forget to take care of your hearing.
When you’re out appreciating summer, remember that your hearing can be damaged by loud noises. In the summer you’re a lot more likely to be exposed to loud sounds, so it’s very important to take the appropriate steps to safeguard your hearing.
One of the most significant steps is utilizing earplugs, especially under certain conditions.
Swimming
Bacteria and parasites love water and can even live in fairly clean pools potentially resulting in swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep water out of your ears and prevent infection.
Contaminated water getting into your ears, while normally not a serious issue, can have some unwanted repercussions. It can lead to inflammation, pain, and even temporary hearing loss.
Left unaddressed, infections can lead to damage to the eardrum and the delicate inner workings of the ear.
If you’re going into a hot tub or pool it won’t be possible to steer clear of all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get some protection by using a set of swimmers earplugs.
Live performances and concerts
Summertime is the perfect time for a night of live music. Because the entertainers are trying to reach such a large audience, however, volume levels are usually off the charts.
Depending on where you’re standing at the venue, you may be exposed to as much as 120dB of sound. That’s enough to lead to instant and lasting hearing loss.
Earplugs are designed to reduce sound, not distort it. The level of sound that can be blocked 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 a 120-dB concert will be lowered to around 100 dB.
But that degree 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 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 applies to indoor concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, barbecues, festivals, or other events where sounds are being boosted through speakers.
property maintenance
The grass is going to 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 nice. Then you use a weed-whacker to touch up around the trees.
Your hearing will certainly be damaged by the loud volume of yard equipment. The noise from this equipment can be decreased and your ears can be protected by using earplugs.
If you’re mowing without earplugs, you’re slowly damaging your hearing and it will become more noticeable over time.
Independence Day
It wouldn’t be Independence Day without them. When July arrives, it’s time to celebrate the birth of our nation. But there’s a negative side to fireworks. They can generate up to 175dB of noise. If you fired a gun right next to your head it would be about this volume.
If you’re attending a display where the fireworks are booming and repeating, you’ll definitely need earplugs. You should acquire the highest NRR rated earplugs, especially if you’re close. You’ll still hear the fireworks and they’ll still be loud, but you’ll be protecting your hearing from future hearing loss.
Safeguarding your hearing is important
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is significant to seek help. Most individuals most likely won’t even recognize that their hearing is gradually going until it’s too late, and unfortunately, it’s irreversible. Get your hearing checked regularly by us to identify your risk level.