Fourth of July celebrations, road trips and baseball games are summer staples, but it’s important to be aware of sound levels. Any sounds that exceed 85 dB can cause permanent hearing loss.
Here are some common summer sounds that could harm your hearing and tips for protecting yourself.
Fireworks
They light up the night, but fireworks can be too loud for your ears. Most fireworks reach 100 to 125 dB.
How to protect your hearing:
- Stand at least 500 feet away from the launch site.
- Wear earplugs.
- Give your ears a listening break afterward.
Amusement Parks
The screams of delight and mechanical noises that accompany riding a rollercoaster get as loud as 95 dB.
How to protect your hearing:
- Wear earplugs on rides.
- Limit your exposure to noisy attractions.
- Avoid rides with audio elements.
Air Shows
Jet engines emit some serious sounds, and the crowd going wild only adds to the noise. Air shows can peak at 100 to 115 dB.
How to protect your hearing:
- Wear noise-canceling headphones during takeoff.
- Keep back from the flight line, speakers and amplifiers.
Car Races
Don’t let the thrill of watching a race be dampened by hearing damage. Car races can be as loud as 130 dB.
How to protect your hearing:
- Wear ear protection with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of at least 25 dB.
- Keep children at least 20 feet from trackside fences and walls.
- Don’t sit next to speakers.
Baseball Games
Home run hits can be surprisingly loud. Combine that with crowd noise, announcements and music, and you could face 85 to 100 dB of sound.
How to protect your hearing:
- Find a quieter spot to watch the game away from the crowd.
- Take five-minute listening breaks every few hours.
- Try foam earplugs for quick and easy hearing protection.
Concerts
There’s nothing like a good jam session to kick off summer. But beware that concerts can get up to 120 dB, which may leave you with hearing damage and ringing in your ears.
How to protect your hearing:
- Wear earplugs throughout the performance.
- Move away from speakers and amps.
- Take a hearing break for at least 24 hours after a concert.
Contact Hearing Associates to learn about our custom hearing protection.