Finally, it’s summertime!!
That means it’s time to get out and partake in all of 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 protect your hearing.
When you’re out enjoying summer, don’t forget that your hearing can be damaged by loud noises. So it’s essential to take steps to protect your ears, particularly during the summer months when you’re more likely to experience loud noises.
Here are several activities that are best enjoyed with earplugs.
Going for a swim
Parasites and bacteria love water and can even live in relatively clean pools potentially leading to swimmer’s ear. You can stop infections by keeping your ears dry and earplugs can help you do this.
While pool-borne sickness isn’t usually serious, polluted water getting inside of your ear canal can have harmful effects. Short-term hearing loss, pain, and swelling can be the consequence.
Left untreated, infections can lead to damage to the eardrum and the fragile inner workings of the ear.
It’s impossible to completely stay away from all pathogens in pools or hot tubs, but using swimming earplugs will help safeguard your ears.
Concerts and live performances
Attending a concert is always a good time, particularly during the summer. Because the performers are attempting to reach such a large audience, however, volume levels are often off the charts.
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 instantly trigger hearing loss that can be permanent.
Earplugs will block some of that sound but won’t distort it. Earplugs have an NRR rating with a range of 20 to 33, which establishes the strength of the protection. An NRR of 20 will lower the sound by 20 dB. So if you’re attending a concert with 120dB of sound, it will be lowered to 100dB.
However, that’s still a potentially harmful level.
Protecting your hearing will mean utilizing a higher NRR the closer to the speakers you will be standing. Within 15 minutes, you can develop permanent hearing damage even if you make use of the highest level of protection. For the highest level of protection, stand a distance from the speakers and wear earplugs.
This doesn’t only pertain to concerts, it’s also relevant for things like festivals, movies, plays, sporting events, and any other event where sound will be amplified through speakers.
property maintenance
The grass is going to continue o grow so mowing will be necessary pretty much every week. You routinely edge the flowerbeds and weed the steps to keep your yard from looking messy. Then you utilize a weed-whacker to touch up around the trees.
Power equipment and other yard tools can be really loud, and prolonged exposure can and will damage your hearing. Earplugs will help lessen the noise from these tools and protect your hearing.
If you’re mowing the lawn without earplugs, you’re gradually damaging your ears and it will become more noticeable over time.
Independence Day
They’re a key part of Independence Day. When July comes around, it’s time to celebrate the independence of our country. But fireworks have a negative side. The noise they produce can be in excess of 175 dB. That’s the volume of a gun being fired right next to your head!
If you’re attending a display in which the fireworks are booming and repeating, you’ll definitely need earplugs. If you’re close to the action, the highest NRR rating is advisable. You’ll protect your hearing from damage and the fireworks will still sound loud enough.
Protecting your ears is important
Get help before your hearing loss becomes severe. Hearing loss related to loud noise can’t be reversed and since it takes place so slowly, most people don’t recognize they’re harming their hearing. Get your hearing checked routinely by us to identify your risk level.