Summer is here!
That means it’s time to go out and enjoy all the fun experiences that the season has to offer. But don’t forget about your hearing’s health before you go out for a day on the beach, a rocking concert, or perhaps an enjoyable backyard get-together.
When you’re out enjoying summer, do keep in mind that your hearing can be harmed by loud noises. So it’s important to take steps to protect your ears, particularly during the summer months when you’re more likely to experience loud noises.
One of the most significant steps is using earplugs, particularly under certain conditions.
Going for a swim
Bacteria and parasites love water and can even live in relatively clean pools potentially leading to swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep your ears dry and prevent infection.
Contaminated water getting inside of your ears, while usually not a serious problem, can have some unwanted consequences. It can result in inflammation, pain, and even short-term hearing loss.
The eardrum and also the delicate inner workings of the ear can be damaged by neglected infections.
It’s not possible to completely stay away from all pathogens in pools or hot tubs, but using swimming earplugs will help safeguard your ears.
Live performances and concerts
Going to a concert is always a good time, particularly in the summer months. Because the performers are attempting to reach such a large audience, however, volume levels are often off the charts.
Depending on where you’re standing at the venue, you could be exposed to as much as 120dB of sound. These volume levels can immediately cause hearing loss that can be permanent.
Earplugs are designed to decrease sound, not distort it. Earplugs have an NRR rating with a range of 20 to 33, which determines the strength of the protection. 20dB of sound will be stopped by earplugs with a 20 NRR rating. So if you’re at a concert with 120dB of sound, it will be lowered to 100dB.
However, that’s still a potentially damaging level.
Protecting your hearing will mean utilizing a higher NRR the closer to the speakers you will be standing. Within 15 minutes, you can experience irreversible hearing damage even if you make use of the highest level of protection. For the best protection, stand a distance from the speakers and wear earplugs.
The same applies to indoor concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, barbecues, celebrations, or other events where sounds are being amplified through speakers.
property maintenance
The grass will continue o grow so mowing will be required pretty much every week. You take measures like edging flower beds and weeding the gardens so your yard looks nice. Then you utilize a weed-whacker to touch up around the trees.
Your hearing will certainly be compromised by the volume level of yard equipment. The noise from this equipment can be decreased and your ears can be protected by wearing earplugs.
If you’re mowing without earplugs, you’re gradually damaging your ears and it will become more apparent over time.
Independence Day
It wouldn’t be Independence Day without them. When July arrives, it’s time to celebrate the independence of our country. But fireworks have a dark side. 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 thunderous and repeating, you’ll certainly need earplugs. If you’re near to the action, the highest NRR rating is recommended. You’ll still be able to hear the fireworks and they’ll still be loud, but you’ll be safeguarding your hearing from future hearing loss.
It’s important to protect your hearing
Seek help before your hearing loss becomes profound. Most people probably won’t even recognize that their hearing is slowly going until it’s too late, and unfortunately, there’s no cure. Contact us right away so we can help you determine any risks you might have.