5 Sounds of Summer That Can Cause Hearing Loss

Summer is a beautiful time to enjoy life to the fullest and spend time with your friends and loved ones. The sweet sound of birds chirping in the trees and the exciting melody of an ice-cream truck on a hot summer afternoon can be nostalgic, but amidst these lovely sounds there are a few that can cause severe damage to your hearing. Here are five summer sounds that you need to avoid in order to protect your hearing this season.

1. Power equipment

Summers are considered an excellent time for people to get work done around the house. If your husband was waiting for the summers to build a patio roof or trim the tree branches with a chainsaw, you should get ready for some serious noise pollution around the house. You need to make sure that safety equipment is being used at all times when using loud power equipment and that the young ones are kept far away from the source of the noise as they are the most susceptible to permanent or temporary hearing loss due to noise exposure.  

2. Car stereo

Were you planning to go on a road trip with your best buddies this summer? If yes, you must have started putting together lots of junk food and some great music for the ride. But before you put your car stereo on full blast, you need to consider the adverse effects that this level of noise can have on your ears. While listening to music is fun, keeping the volume low can be beneficial for your health.

3. Outdoor concerts

Summer is the best season to attend an outdoor concert organized by your favorite band. However, the bad news is that the typical noise level at such a concert can range up to 115 decibels. Doctors say that it is possible to develop permanent hearing loss at this level of exposure. Many people get a ringing in their ears after returning from concerts. This ringing is closely associated with hearing loss. Make sure that you have proper ear protection when you attend an outdoor music concert and try not to stand too close to the loudspeakers. If possible, try going to a quieter spot every once in a while to give your ears some rest.

4. Personal audio devices

Talking on the phone for long hours can be damaging for your ears. Similarly, listening to music on an iPod or MP3 Player can induce hearing loss. The rule of thumb is that if people can hear your music from your headphones, your volume is too high.

5. Fireworks

Whether you’re celebrating the 4^th of July or a close friend’s wedding, a fireworks display might be beautiful to look at but can do lasting damage to your ears. On average, fireworks and firecrackers can reach an enormous audible level of up to 140 decibels, which is extremely dangerous. The easiest way to protect your hearing while enjoying a fireworks display is to wear a pair of over-the-counter earplugs, which are cheap yet effective.