Summer is made for getting outside – but a few of the season’s favorite activities come with a hidden risk to your hearing. The damage often happens quietly, builds over time, and can be permanent. The good news? With a little awareness, it’s also completely preventable. Here are two summer staples to be careful with, and how to protect yourself and your family.
1. Fireworks
Of course, on July Fourth and at sporting events, fireworks displays are common. But those spectacular booms come at a cost: most fireworks produce the level of sound that actually causes pain. At that volume, even a single show can easily cause permanent hearing damage. Enjoy the display from a distance, and bring hearing protection for everyone, especially young children.
2. Outdoor Concerts
Here in the Front Range, we have Red Rocks Amphitheater, considered one of the finest outdoor music venues in America, but because outdoor venues let sound disperse, bands often turn the music up even louder to compensate. Beyond permanent hearing damage, listening too loud for too long frequently causes tinnitus – a ringing in the ears. Sometimes it goes away, and sometimes it doesn’t. Whenever you can, sit well away from the speakers and give your ears regular breaks.
What is noise-induced hearing loss?
Loud noise doesn’t just bother your ears in the moment – over time, it can physically damage the inner workings that make hearing possible. That kind of damage is known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
Most sounds in our everyday environment, such as TV, traffic, and ambient conversation, are at safe levels. But there are times when sounds become too loud or last too long (on-the-job machinery), and that’s when the damage happens. Depending on the type and extent of that damage, NIHL can be temporary or permanent. Unlike other types of hearing loss, it’s preventable.
NIHL can actually be stopped before it starts
Of all the ways people lose their hearing, noise damage is the only kind you have real control over. Once you know what puts your ears at risk and build a few smart habits around loud sound, you can keep your hearing in good shape for the long haul. A few ways to start:
- Learn to recognize the everyday sounds loud enough to do harm.
- Keep earplugs or earmuffs on hand and use them whenever you’re around heavy noise.
- When the volume is out of your control and protection isn’t enough, put distance between yourself and the source.
- Pay attention to your surroundings so loud environments don’t catch you off guard.
- Step in for kids, whose ears need protecting before they’re old enough to do it themselves.
- Book a hearing test if you suspect your ears may already have taken a hit.
Enjoy your summer – and protect your hearing
You don’t have to skip the fireworks or sit out the concert. A few simple precautions go a long way toward keeping your hearing healthy for years to come. And if you’ve noticed ringing in your ears, muffled hearing, or trouble hearing after a loud event, it’s worth getting checked out.
Concerned about your hearing? Schedule a hearing evaluation with ENTOne today. Call our office or book online, and let our specialists help you protect what matters.
Disclaimer: This is general information and not a substitute for professional medical advice. All advice and suggestions offered on the website, in blog posts, or in newsletters should be discussed with a physician before implementation. Always consult a physician for specific guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions. SurgOne, PC, and ENTOne PC are not liable for any adverse reactions that may occur from implementing the advice or suggestions that appear here.
