Consider Ear Protection For These Loud Summer Activities
Posted on: 15 June 2016
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If your priority for this summer is to get out of the house and enjoy a variety of different activities, you'll likely be creating memories that will last a long time. You also want your hearing to last a long time, which means that it's important to be cognizant of how loud summer activities could jeopardize the health of your ears and make you need hearing aids earlier than you would otherwise. In some of these activities, you might be the only one with hearing protection, but don't be shy; you're doing a good job of caring for the longevity of your ears. Here are some loud summertime activities for which you should consider hearing protection.
Music Festivals
Although outdoor music festivals are often quieter than shows in arenas, they can still pack enough of a sonic punch to harm your hearing — especially if you're close to the stage or near a bank of speakers. The exact decibel level at outdoor music festivals can vary according to several criteria, but the average concert can easily exceed 100 decibels. Being exposed to sounds greater than 85 decibels can put your hearing at risk, so it's a good idea to protect your ears at any concerts you'll be attending this summer. It's also a smart to take occasional breaks by moving into a quieter area of the festival grounds between acts.
Boating
Under a sunny sky and with the wind blowing through your hair, the health of your hearing might be the last thing you're thinking about when you're boating this summer. But just think — when a motorboat is at full throttle, it's almost impossible to communicate with those around you. This is a sure sign that the volume is loud enough to risk your hearing. The decibels from your boat's motor can easily exceed 80 decibels and often get beyond 90 decibels, too. This means that hearing protection is a worthwhile investment.
Fireworks
No day of summer fun is complete without some fireworks, but you need to have a healthy respect for the noise generated by these explosions. Fireworks can produce volume greater than 150 decibels, which is an extremely problematic level as far as hearing is concerned. Obviously, the farther away from the fireworks site, the lower their volume will be. However, to protect yourself and the future health of your ears, you won't regret dampening some of the noise with hearing protection.
For hearing services, contact a clinic such as Hearing Health Clinic.