Finally, it’s summer!!
That means it’s time to go out and enjoy all the fun activities that the season has to provide. But don’t forget about your hearing’s health before you head out for a day on the beach, a rocking concert, or maybe an enjoyable backyard barbecue.
Loud noises can harm your hearing, even if you don’t feel like they’re that loud. So it’s essential 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 a few activities that are best enjoyed with earplugs.
Going for a swim
Even in clean pools, there can be bacteria and parasites that can result in swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep your ears dry and stop infection.
Polluted water getting into your ears, while normally not a serious problem, can have some negative consequences. It can lead to swelling, pain, and even short-term hearing loss.
Left unaddressed, infections can cause damage to the eardrum and the fragile inner workings of the ear.
If you’re going into a hot tub or pool it won’t be possible to avoid all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get a level of protection by using a pair of swimmers earplugs.
Concerts and live performances
Summer 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 often really high.
You could be exposed to more than 120dB of volume depending on the spot that you’re standing. That’s enough to trigger instant and permanent hearing loss.
Earplugs will stop some of that sound but won’t distort it. Earplugs have an NRR rating with a range of 20 to 33, which determines the strength of the protection. An NRR of 20 will reduce the sound by 20 dB. So a 120-dB concert will be reduced 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 safeguard your ears and prevent permanent hearing damage. Within 15 minutes, you can develop permanent hearing damage even if you use the highest level of protection. Use earplugs and stand at a distance from the speakers for best protection.
The same applies to indoor concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, cook-outs, celebrations, or other events where sounds are being boosted through speakers.
property maintenance
The grass is going to 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 great. Then you keep the long grass under control with a weed-whacker.
Your hearing will definitely be damaged by the loud volume of yard equipment. Earplugs will help lessen the noise from these tools and protect your hearing.
If you aren’t using earplugs when you use the mower, over time, you will be noticeably causing hearing loss.
Independence Day
It wouldn’t be Independence Day without them. On the 4th of July, we will all be celebrating our country’s independence. But fireworks have a negative side. The noise they make can be in excess of 175 dB. If you shot a gun right near your head it would be about this volume.
You’ll absolutely want earplugs if you’re going to a large fireworks show. If you’re close to the action, the highest NRR rating is recommended. You’ll safeguard your ears from damage and the fireworks will still be loud enough.
Safeguarding your ears is important
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is extreme to get help. Hearing loss related to loud noise can’t be corrected and since it occurs so slowly, most people don’t realize they’re damaging their hearing. Contact us right away so we can help you determine any risks you might have.