Protect your hears this Fourth of July with these tips!
Summer is here, and so many communities will be dealing with one loud thing after dark –fireworks! While these can look beautiful when they are lighting up the sky, they can be a nuisance when you are trying to get some sleep or protect your hearing. If you are planning on enjoying fireworks inside or outside this year, here are some of the ways that you can protect your hearing from fireworks.
Why Are Fireworks Such a Problem?
Unfortunately, if you do not take the time to protect your hearing from fireworks, you can suffer serious consequences. Fireworks have chemical reactions inside of them that lead to a large explosion. The vibrations that happen as a result of this explosion can lead to permanent damage to your inner ear, depending on how close you are to the fireworks.
If you are at close range, fireworks can be between 150 and 175 dB. This is 10 to 35 dB louder than what is recommended for adults to hear, and 30 to 55 dB louder than what is appropriate for kids to hear. This means that fireworks are louder than a rock concert, power tools, heavy traffic, and vacuum cleaners.
Stay Far Away
One way to decrease the amount of volume that you are exposed to is to keep a safe distance from the fireworks themselves. In general, the further that you are from the fireworks, the softer the sound will be. Many fireworks displays are so visible that you can easily see them from 500 to 1000 feet away without compromising your hearing.
Don’t Set Off Your Own
When you set off your own fireworks, it is almost impossible to keep a safe distance from them. To protect your hearing from fireworks, it’s a much better idea to go to local displays. This is also a good way to stay safe, as fireworks are dangerous.
Wear Ear Protection
Finally, to protect your hearing from fireworks, it’s a great idea to wear ear protection. Earmuffs and earplugs go a long way to muffling loud sounds, and they can help preserve your hearing without decreasing your enjoyment.
Get Help for Hearing Loss from Clarity Hearing
Need help with your hearing? Clarity Hearing can help. Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions is an independently owned and operated clinic that focuses on quality of care and personalized, friendly service to the surrounding areas of Ellicott City, Catonsville, Columbia. Our Doctors of Audiology are highly trained with advanced degrees and take the time to provide the personalized care and attention that you need and deserve. We provide advanced hearing aid options that are personally calibrated with cutting-edge digital technology to fit your hearing loss, your unique ear anatomy, and your individual listening needs.
You can call us today to schedule a FREE Hearing Protection Consultation at 410-698-6594! For more blog posts, news, and updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.