Finally, it’s summertime!!
That means it’s time to get out and enjoy all the fun activities that the season has to offer. But don’t forget about your hearing’s health before you head out for a day on the beach, a rocking concert, or perhaps a great backyard get-together.
When you’re out appreciating summer, don’t forget that your hearing can be harmed by loud noises. So it’s important to take measures to protect your ears, especially during the summer months when you’re more likely to be exposed to loud noises.
Here are some activities that are best experienced with earplugs.
Swimming
Even in clean pools, there can be parasites and bacteria that can cause swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep water out of your ears and stop infection.
Polluted water getting inside of your ears, while normally not a serious problem, can have some unwanted repercussions. It can cause swelling, pain, and even short-term hearing loss.
Left unaddressed, infections can lead to damage to the eardrum and the delicate inner workings of the ear.
If you are going into a hot tub or pool it will be impossible to avoid all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get some protection by using a set of swimmers earplugs.
Live performances and concerts
Summer is the best time for a night of live music. Because the performers are attempting to reach such a big audience, however, volume levels are usually off the charts.
You might be exposed to over 120dB of volume depending on where you’re standing. That’s enough to trigger instant and permanent hearing loss.
Earplugs will block some of that sound but won’t distort it. The degree of sound that can be stopped by earplugs will be established by an NRR rating of between 20 and 33. 20dB of sound will be blocked by earplugs with a 20 NRR rating. So a 120-dB concert will be lowered to around 100 dB.
But that amount of sound can still potentially damage your hearing.
The closer to the speaker you are, the higher NRR you’ll require to protect your ears and prevent irreversible hearing damage. Even if you acquire the highest level of hearing protection, you will still be exposed to sounds loud enough to trigger permanent hearing damage within 15 minutes. For the best protection, stand a distance from the speakers and use earplugs.
This doesn’t only apply to concerts, it’s also true for things like festivals, movies, plays, sporting events, and any other event where sound will be amplified through speakers.
Yard work
You do it each week, but the grass continues to grow. You routinely edge the flowerbeds and weed the steps to keep your yard from looking like a mess. Then you utilize a weed-whacker to touch up around the trees.
Your hearing will certainly be damaged by the volume level of yard equipment. The noise from this equipment can be reduced and your ears can be protected by using earplugs.
If you’re not using earplugs when you operate the mower, over time, you will be observably doing hearing loss.
Independence Day
They’re an essential aspect of Independence Day. On the 4th of July, we will all be celebrating our country’s independence. But fireworks have a negative side. They can create up to 175dB of noise. That’s as loud as a gun being discharged right beside your head!
If you’re attending a display in which the fireworks are thunderous and recurring, you’ll certainly need earplugs. If you’re near to the action, the highest NRR rating is suggested. You’ll still hear the fireworks and they’ll still be loud, but you’ll be protecting your ears from future hearing loss.
Protecting your hearing is important
Get help before your hearing loss becomes profound. Most individuals most likely won’t even realize that their hearing is slowly going until it’s too late, and regrettably, it’s irreversible. Get your hearing assessed routinely by us to determine your risk level.
