Summer has finally arrived, and it’s time for all those things we’ve been looking forward to: trips to the beach, chilling out by the swimming pool, and injured hearing? That’s correct, summer has a few hidden risks to your ears, either from loud sounds or the external scenarios you may find yourself in. Any sounds over 80 decibels can damage your hearing, while swimming in pools or other bodies of water can bring about enduring hearing loss. To keep your hearing safeguarded this summer, you need to be mindful of your environment and take precautions. Keep reading to identify the summer’s six hidden hazards to your ears.
When You’re at Concerts, Use Hearing Protection
Whether you’re at an indoor venue or an outside concert venue you still should use ear protection during live music. Concerts can have volumes over 90 decibels, even at outside concerts, which is within the danger zone of hearing loss. So whether you’re attending an inside or outside concerts, it’s a smart idea to wear earplugs. You can still hear the tunes with earplugs it’s just dampened a little. If you’re going to a concert with young kids, consider getting them a heavy duty set of earmuffs since their ears are much more delicate than those of adults.
Your Ears Can be Damaged by Fireworks
Honestly, there are a lot of reasons to avoid fireworks in the summer. We’re not talking about the skilled 4th of July fireworks show, we mean the backyard fireworks which every summer cause many of injuries. In addition to causing hand injuries, loss of vision, and home fires, personal fireworks can also cause severe damage to your hearing since they are known to reach volume levels of 155 dB. This year, on the 4th of July, enjoy the show from a distance and leave the fireworks to the professionals.
Lawnmowers Can Cause Loss of Hearing
If you’re really serious about your yard, most likely you’re out there each week on your mower, using your edger, and trimming your bushes. But have you ever noted how off your ears feel after you get done, making everything sound muffled? That’s because the constant noise from your lawn tools have a slow and steady impact on your hearing. If you’ve ever observed landscapers, you most likely have seen them wearing hearing protection, next time you work on your yard with loud power equipment, you should take a hint from them and wear earplugs or earmuffs.
How to Protect Your Ears at Beaches And Pools
Millions of people suffer from swimmer’s ear each summer, which happens when the ear canal traps water which has to much bacteria. The bacteria then infects the ear, causing painful earaches and swelling. It’s not exclusively rivers and lakes that contain these bacteria, they can sometimes be found in pools and hot tubs if they are not cleaned and treated thoroughly. As long as you have your ears treated by a hearing professional you should be fine, and no lasting loss of hearing will happen. To protect against swimmer’s ear, though, you should wear specialized swimming earplugs in the pool and have your pool water analyzed to be certain the chemical balance is ok.
Boats and Other Water Sports
Summertime is a breath of freedom for those individuals who love to be in a boat on the water, smelling the salt air from the ocean or the fresh breeze of the lake. But, jet ski and boat engines are usually loud,we’re talking more than 100 decibels. Continual subjection to that much noise for around 15 minutes can lead to irreparable hearing impairment. In this circumstance also, putting on a pair of disposable foam earplugs is a smart idea.
Car Races Can Hurt Your Ears
It doesn’t make a difference what kind of auto racing you enjoy, midget, Formula 1, drag racing, motorcycle Formula 1. Each one of them can present a huge challenge for your hearing if you go to many races during the summer season. It’s estimated that sound levels can go over 120 decibels at certain races, which is certainly inside the danger zone for hearing injury. Earplugs are your best friends at these races, although your kids should probably use the earmuffs which were mentioned earlier. Otherwise, you may not be able to enjoy the sound of those engines as you get older.