Finally, it’s summer!!
This summer season has tons of fun. But before you hit the beach, the concert, or the backyard barbecue, don’t forget to take care of your hearing.
Loud noises can damage your hearing, even if you don’t feel like they’re that loud. During the summer you’re much 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 important 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. You can prevent infections by keeping your ears dry and earplugs can help you do this.
Contaminated water getting into your ears, while usually not a serious problem, can have some adverse consequences. 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 neglected infections.
It’s not possible to totally stay away from all pathogens in pools or hot tubs, but wearing swimming earplugs will help safeguard your ears.
Concerts and live performances
Attending a concert is always a good time, particularly in the summer months. But live concerts are typically very loud.
You might be exposed to more than 120dB of volume depending on where you’re standing. That’s enough to lead to immediate and permanent hearing loss.
Earplugs will stop some of that sound but won’t distort it. The amount of sound that can be blocked by earplugs will be identified by an NRR rating of between 20 and 33. 20dB of sound will be stopped 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.
Safeguarding your hearing will mean using a higher NRR the closer to the speakers you will be standing. Within 15 minutes, you can develop permanent hearing damage even if you use the highest level of protection. For the highest level of protection, stand a distance from the speakers and use earplugs.
The same applies to indoor concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, barbecues, festivals, or other events where sounds are being boosted through speakers.
property maintenance
You do it every week, but the grass keeps growing. You routinely edge the flowerbeds and weed the steps to keep your yard from looking like a mess. Then you use a weed-whacker to clean up around the trees.
Power equipment and other yard equipment can be really loud, and sustained exposure can and will damage your hearing. Earplugs will help reduce the noise from these tools and safeguard your hearing.
If you aren’t wearing earplugs when you use the mower, over time, you will be noticeably causing hearing loss.
Independence Day
It wouldn’t be Independence Day without them. On the 4th of July, we will all be celebrating our nation’s independence. But there’s a dark side to fireworks. They can create up to 175dB of noise. That’s the volume of a pistol being fired right next to your head!
If you’re going to a show in which the fireworks are booming and repeating, you’ll definitely need earplugs. You should get the highest NRR rated earplugs, particularly if you’re close. You’ll protect your ears 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. Most individuals most likely won’t even realize that their hearing is slowly going until it’s too late, and regrettably, it’s irreversible. Have your hearing checked regularly by us to identify your risk level.