Hearing Health Blog

Man trimming bushes with electric trimmer while wearing hearing protection.

Finally, it’s summer!!

That means it’s time to get out and partake in all of the exciting experiences that the season has to provide. But keep the health of your hearing in mind before you go out for a day on the beach, a rocking concert, or maybe a great backyard barbecue.

When you’re out appreciating summer, remember that your hearing can be damaged by loud noises. During the summer you’re a lot more likely to be exposed to loud sounds, so it’s very important to take the appropriate steps to protect your hearing.

Here are some activities that are best experienced with earplugs.

Going for a swim

Parasites and bacteria love water and can even live in relatively clean pools potentially resulting in swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep water out of your ears and stop infection.

Contaminated water getting into your ears, while normally not a serious issue, can have some adverse repercussions. It can result in inflammation, pain, and even short-term hearing loss.

The eardrum and also the fragile inner workings of the ear can be damaged by untreated infections.

If you are going into a hot tub or pool it won’t be possible to steer clear of all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get some protection by using a pair of swimmers earplugs.

Live performances and concerts

Summer is the perfect time for an evening of live music. But live concerts are typically very loud.

You may be exposed to more than 120dB of sound depending on where you’re standing. These volume levels can instantly cause hearing loss that can be permanent.

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 reduced to around 100 dB.

However, that’s still a potentially damaging level.

Safeguarding your hearing will mean using a higher NRR the closer to the speakers you will be standing. Within 15 minutes, you can experience irreversible hearing damage even if you use the highest level of protection. Wear earplugs and stand at a distance from the speakers for best protection.

This doesn’t just apply to concerts, it’s also true for things like festivals, movies, plays, sporting events, and any other event where sound will be boosted through speakers.

property maintenance

The grass is going to keep growing so mowing will be necessary pretty much every week. You take steps 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.

Power tools and other yard equipment can be really loud, and prolonged exposure can and will damage your hearing. Earplugs will help lessen the noise from these tools and safeguard your hearing.

If you’re mowing the lawn without earplugs, you’re gradually damaging your hearing and it will become more evident over time.

Independence Day

They’re a key aspect of Independence Day. On the 4th of July, we will all be celebrating our nation’s independence. But fireworks have a dark side. The noise they produce can be in excess of 175 dB. That’s as loud as a gun being fired right next to your head!

You’ll absolutely want earplugs if you’re attending a large fireworks show. You should acquire the highest NRR rated earplugs, particularly if you’re close. You’ll still hear the fireworks and they will still be loud, but you’ll be safeguarding your ears from future hearing loss.

It’s important to safeguard 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. Get your hearing checked routinely by us to identify your risk level.

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The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
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