Finally, it’s summertime!!
This summer season offers a lot of fun. But before you hit the beach, the concert, or the backyard cookout, don’t forget to protect your hearing.
When you’re out appreciating summer, do keep in mind that your hearing can be harmed by loud noises. In the summer you’re much more likely to be exposed to loud sounds, so it’s very important to take the appropriate steps to protect your hearing.
Here are a few activities that are best experienced with earplugs.
Going for a swim
Even in clean pools, there can be bacteria and parasites that can cause swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep your ears dry and stop infection.
While pool-borne sickness is rarely serious, polluted water getting into your ear canal can have harmful effects. Short-term hearing loss, pain, and inflammation can be the consequence.
The eardrum and also the fragile inner workings of the ear can be damaged by untreated infections.
It’s not possible to totally stay away from all pathogens in hot tubs or pools, but using swimming earplugs will help protect your ears.
Concerts and live performances
Summertime is the best 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 the spot that you’re standing at the venue, you could be exposed to as much as 120dB of sound. That’s enough to lead to instant and lasting hearing loss.
Earplugs are designed to decrease sound, not distort it. Earplugs have an NRR rating with a range of 20 to 33, which establishes the strength of the protection. 20dB of sound will be blocked by earplugs with a 20 NRR rating. So if you’re at a concert with 120dB of sound, it will be reduced 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. Even if you get the highest level of hearing protection, you will still be subjected to sounds loud enough to trigger permanent hearing damage within 15 minutes. Wear earplugs and stand well away from the speakers for optimum protection.
The same goes for indoor concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, barbecues, festivals, or other events where sounds are being amplified through speakers.
Yard work
You do it each week, but the grass keeps growing. You regularly 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 tools and other yard equipment can be very loud, and sustained exposure can and will harm your hearing. Earplugs will help decrease the noise from these tools and safeguard your hearing.
If you’re mowing without earplugs, you’re slowly damaging your ears and it will become more obvious 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 there’s a negative side to fireworks. They can generate up to 175dB of noise. That’s as loud as a gun being discharged right next to your head!
You’ll absolutely want earplugs if you’re going to a big fireworks show. You should get the highest NRR rated earplugs, particularly if you’re close. You’ll safeguard your ears from damage and the fireworks will still be loud enough.
Safeguarding your hearing is important
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is profound to seek help. Most people most likely won’t even realize that their hearing is slowly going until it’s too late, and unfortunately, there’s no cure. Have your hearing assessed regularly by us to determine your risk level.