While retailers may think it is back-to-school season, there are still many weeks left to swim at Bellwood or Greenbriar Lakes and attend a backyard BBQ or two. While enjoying the last month of summer, make sure you are taking extra care to protect your hearing in the process.
Avoid Swimmer’s Ear
When the sun is shining and the temperature creeps into triple digits, the only place to spend the afternoon is on the water. Whether you’re swimming in a pool, lake or river, there is one thing you should avoid – developing swimmer’s ear.
Swimmer’s ear is an infection in the outer ear caused by bacteria growth, usually the result of water getting trapped in the ear after swimming. Also known as otitis externa, symptoms include an itchy ear canal, redness inside the ear, ear discomfort/pain and drainage from the ear. Swimmer’s ear can also lead to temporary hearing loss.
In order to prevent this infection, experts recommend keeping your ears as dry as possible by wearing earplugs or a bathing cap while swimming. You should also dry your ears thoroughly after you get out of the water.
Prevent Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Exposure to loud sounds, which is anything measuring above 85 decibels, can damage the delicate hair cells within the inner ear and lead to noise-induced hearing loss. Experts estimate that as many as one in three Americans between the ages of 20 to 69 have hearing loss caused by exposure to loud sounds.
Protecting your ears from exposure to unsafe sounds is easy. Before going to a loud or crowded event, simply stop by your local pharmacy and pick up a pair of disposable earplugs. If you are often exposed to loud noises, consider investing in a pair of custom-made earplugs from SoundLogic, which provide a better it and offer superior protection.
Dangerously loud summer events include:
- Outdoor concerts.
- Firework displays.
- Country fairs.
- Music festivals.
- Yard work involving power tools.
To learn more about keeping your hearing safe this summer or to schedule an appointment with a hearing expert, contact SoundLogic today.