People simply love the summer time. The promise of hours soaking up the sunlight, lounging around outside in the grassy lawns, and enjoying those Sunday BBQs all seem so enticing. Unfortunately, the summer fun may be hard on your ears. Read more to find out how and what you can do about it.
Summer sounds can result in hearing loss due to noise. Thankfully, this type of damage to hearing is actually preventable in nature! You can have your fun in the sun and protect your ears at the same time to make sure your ears stay happy all summer long.
All the fun activities seem to make an appearance during the summer, including music concerts, trips to the beach and water parks, and summer barbeques. Concerts can be a lot of fun, but the loud sounds emitting from the speakers and the cheering crowd can damage your hearing. This is why it is important to carry a good pair of earplugs for auditory protection when you attend a concert.
Swimming in the pool or the beach can also be a great summer activity, but it can also put your ears at risk of water-logging. Keep your ears plugged and if you are wearing hearing aids, make sure you remove them. For other water-based activities like sailing or fishing, which do not come in contact with water, you can get water resistant hearing instruments such as Widex. Make sure you store your hearing aids in air tight containers in a safe location if you do remove them before going for a dip.
Fun in the sun also means protecting your skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. You can do this by using sunscreen, but make sure you do not apply the sunscreen accidentally on your hearing aids since it can damage the circuitry.
People sweat more in the summer, which is an unfortunate inevitability. This means direct contact with moisture, which is bad for your hearing aids. Make sure you get yourself a dehumidifier or a drying station to effectively eliminate any damage that can occur due to sweat or moisture.
Another activity that occurs during summer time is yard work. People mowing their lawns in the summer are a common sight, but it can be a challenge for your ears. Lawnmowers can produce sound levels that range up to 107dB, which is significantly above the safe sound limit of 85dB. Exposing yourself to even half an hour of lawn mowing can result in hearing damage. This is why it is important to wear your earplugs or headset-worn hearing protective gear that is easily available at any hardware store. Be safe and engage in auditory protection this summer so that you can hear the lovely sounds of summer for all your days to come!