Now that the Fourth of July has passed, you probably aren’t anticipating being near any more explosions and fireworks this summer. But that doesn’t mean all hearing hazards have gone. Here are some late summer activities that might still pose a hearing risk.
Farmers’ Markets and Art Festivals
Who doesn’t love the friendly sight of tents on the sidewalk with chatty merchants selling fruits, vegetables and handmade art? While you browse, mingle and enjoy your afternoon stroll, events like these can be loud enough to negatively impact your hearing. Outdoor venues, like sidewalk markets, can be echoey and distort sounds. The combination of chatting people, food carts preparing orders and nearby traffic can reach hazardous sound levels (any sound above 85 dB) without you realizing. Great options include:
- Earplugs meant to preserve speech, like Loops or other semi-specialty options
- Headphones or earbuds with ANC features (these can reduce speech clarity)
Outdoor Recreation
For a lot of folks, adventure means ATVs and motorbikes on the nearby trails and jet skis on the water. Motor vehicles like these can reach sound levels over 100 dB, which is enough to damage your hearing in about 15 minutes. This makes ear protection a necessity. Look for:
- Earplugs designed with an 18 – 32 reduction in DB
- Helmets with in-built sound dampening
House Projects and Yardwork
Building a garden trellis, mowing the lawn, fixing an appliance or building a piece of furniture for your home is incredibly rewarding. Late summer is a great time to squeeze in one last DIY project for your home before the weather gets cold. Be wary, however, of power tools and their noise levels; not only are they excessively loud, but you’re often positioned right next to them, giving your ears direct exposure. You should always wear:
- Sound-dampening earmuffs designed for industrial usage
- Earplugs designed for industrial use
Sporting Events and Concerts
Sound gets cranked up to 11 at loud events like sports events and live concerts. Baseball season is still in full swing (and a miss…), football season feels like it’s just around the corner and there are still lots of concerts scheduled for the near future. Don’t miss out on fun events like these, but make sure you bring your hearing protection and take periodic breaks from the noise. Choose:
- Musician-geared earplugs preserve music while cutting out damaging frequencies
- Lower-decibel high-fidelity earplugs (typically in the 16-26 decibel reduction range)
Protecting Your Hearing
To protect yourself from hearing loss, get earplugs or earmuffs. These are highly effective at blocking the loudest noises and protecting your ears. Moreover, you can get custom and specialized hearing protection meant to fit your ears and tailored for the activity you’re doing.
If you notice any signs of noise-induced hearing loss, be proactive in getting seen by a clinician before it progresses. Some signs include:
- Muffled hearing
- Sounds seem distorted
- Difficulty hearing people speak
- Missing background noise
- Tinnitus
If you notice any of these signs, don’t assume it’s temporary. Visit an audiologist to assess your current hearing levels. We want you to have a happy, hearing-healthy rest of your summer! Call us today to schedule an appointment for a hearing test.