Easy Ways to Safeguard Your Hearing This Summer

Man trimming bushes with electric trimmer while wearing hearing protection.

Finally, it’s summertime!!

That means it’s time to go out and enjoy all the fun activities 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 enjoying summer, don’t forget 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 right steps to safeguard your hearing.

Here are some activities that are best enjoyed with earplugs.

Going for a swim

Parasites and bacteria love water and can even live in relatively clean pools potentially leading to swimmer’s ear. You can stop infections by keeping water out of your ears and earplugs can help you do this.

Polluted water getting inside of your ears, while usually not a serious problem, can have some unwanted repercussions. Temporary hearing loss, pain, and swelling can be the result.

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 will be impossible to steer clear of all germs and pathogens, but your ears can get some protection by using a set of swimmers earplugs.

Live performances and concerts

Attending a concert is always a good time, especially in the summer months. Because the entertainers are attempting to reach such a big audience, however, volume levels are often off the charts.

You may be exposed to over 120dB of sound depending on where you’re standing. That’s enough to cause instant and permanent hearing loss.

Earplugs are fashioned 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. An NRR of 20 will reduce the sound by 20 dB. 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.

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

The same applies to indoor concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, barbecues, festivals, or other events where sounds are being amplified through speakers.

Yard work

You do it every week, but the grass keeps growing. You regularly edge the flowerbeds and weed the steps to keep your yard from looking messy. Then you keep the long grass in check with a weed-whacker.

Your hearing will certainly be compromised by the volume level of yard equipment. The noise from this equipment can be decreased and your ears can be safeguarded by using earplugs.

If you’re not using earplugs when you operate the mower, over time, you will be noticeably causing hearing loss.

Independence Day

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

You’ll definitely want earplugs if you’re going to a big fireworks show. If you’re close to the action, the highest NRR rating is recommended. You’ll still hear the fireworks and they will still be loud, but you’ll be safeguarding your hearing from future hearing loss.

Safeguarding your hearing is important

Get help before your hearing loss becomes profound. Most individuals most likely won’t even realize that their hearing is gradually going until it’s too late, and unfortunately, it’s irreversible. Call us right away so we can help you determine any risks you might have.

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.