Summer is one of the best times of the year for getting together with your family and enjoying all of the best that the season has to offer. From sporting events to celebrations, there are a variety of ways to have fun. However, there are common summer sounds that cause hearing loss in the population. We will examine these harmful sounds as well as different ways to preserve your hearing over time.
Preserving Your Hearing
There are two different ways that you can go about preserving your hearing in the summer. The first thing that you can do is to use ear plugs or headphones to block out noises from the surrounding area. The other way to protect your hearing from common summer sounds which cause impairments is by spending less time in areas which are filled with loud noises. You can sit away from speakers at concerts and only attend the parts of races that you must.
Fireworks
One of the best ways to celebrate during the summer months is to use fireworks. These beautifully coordinated bursts of light and sound can induce a sense of awe. However, with an ear-rupturing 150 decibels with each explosion, the fireworks can also induce hearing loss. It is best to stay far enough away to see these fireworks but not hear them.
Sports Events
Another one of the best things that you can do during the summer months is attending a sporting event. From baseball to racing, there are a number of great things to watch throughout the summer. However, racing events that involve cars can cause hearing loss by the way of the roaring engines coming so close to the spectators. It is best to limit the amount of time you spend at the races and to keep your distance.
Landscaping Machines
Another common summer sound that can result in hearing loss is most likely taking place somewhere in your neighborhood right now. Lawn mowers and other landscaping tools can create a fair amount of noise, but it is the duration of the exposure that can cause long term damage. It is best to limit the amount of time that you spend cutting the lawn to 15 minute increments to prevent hearing impairment.
Concerts
One of the best parts about summer time is that there are concerts in all different types of venues. You can see a show in just about any city and sing along with your favorite bands. However, the speakers at these venues can put out an incredible amount of noise that can cause tremendous hearing damage. Many people who are too close to the speakers suffer temporary hearing loss and even permanent impairment. It is best to stay away from the speakers and bring a pair of headphones for the warm-up bands.