​​

This Summer You Can do Some Things to Protect Your Hearing

Man trimming bushes with electric trimmer while wearing hearing protection.

Summer has finally arrived!

This summer season has a lot of fun. But before you hit the beach, the concert, or the backyard cookout, don’t forget to take care of your hearing.

When you’re out enjoying summer, do keep in mind that your hearing can be damaged by loud noises. So it’s important to take steps to protect your ears, particularly during the summer months when you’re more likely to experience loud noises.

Here are some activities that are best enjoyed with earplugs.

Going for a swim

Even in clean pools, there can be bacteria and parasites that can lead to swimmer’s ear. You can stop infections by keeping water out of your ears and earplugs can help you do this.

While pool-borne illness is rarely serious, contaminated water getting into your ear canal can have unhealthy effects. Temporary hearing loss, pain, and swelling can be the outcome.

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

It’s not possible to totally avoid all pathogens in pools or hot tubs, but wearing swimming earplugs will help safeguard your ears.

Concerts and live performances

Attending a concert is always a good time, particularly in the summer months. But live concerts are typically very loud.

You might be exposed to over 120dB of volume depending on the spot that you’re standing. That’s enough to lead to instant and permanent hearing loss.

Earplugs will block some of that sound but won’t distort it. Earplugs have an NRR rating with a range of 20 to 33, which identifies the strength of the protection. An NRR of 20 will lower the sound by 20 dB. So if you’re attending a concert with 120dB of sound, it will be reduced to 100dB.

But that amount of sound can still potentially damage your hearing.

Protecting your hearing will mean utilizing a higher NRR the closer to the speakers you will be standing. 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. Use earplugs and stand well away from the speakers for optimum protection.

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

property maintenance

You do it each week, but the grass keeps growing. You take steps such as edging flower beds and weeding the gardens so your yard looks great. Then you utilize a weed-whacker to touch up around the trees.

Power equipment and other yard equipment can be really loud, and prolonged exposure can and will harm your hearing. Earplugs will help reduce the noise from these tools and protect your hearing.

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

Independence Day

They’re a key part of Independence Day. When July comes around, it’s time to celebrate the independence of our country. But there’s a negative side to fireworks. The noise they produce can be in excess of 175 dB. That’s as loud as a pistol being discharged right beside your head!

You’ll definitely want earplugs if you’re going to a large fireworks show. If you’re close to the action, the highest NRR rating is suggested. You’ll protect your hearing from damage and the fireworks will still sound loud enough.

Safeguarding your hearing is important

Seek help before your hearing loss becomes profound. Hearing loss caused by loud noise can’t be reversed and since it occurs so gradually, most people don’t recognize they’re damaging their hearing. Have your hearing checked regularly by us to identify your risk level.

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.