The end of summer is rapidly approaching, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make the most of the warm days we have left. But while you’re enjoying summer fun activities, don’t forget to take measures to keep your ears protected. We review how to do this below.
Protect Your Ears Against Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Noise-induced hearing loss is common. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 12.5% of children and adolescents ages 6-19 (5.2 million young people) and 17% of adults ages 20-69 (26 million people) have experienced permanent damage to their hearing caused by excessive exposure to noise.
In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that as many as 50% of young people ages 12-35 throughout the world – 1.1 billion people – are at risk of developing hearing loss due to prolonged and excessive exposure to loud sounds.
Any sound over 85 dB can cause permanent damage to your ears if you’re exposed long enough. For reference, that is about the volume of passing highway traffic or a busy café during lunch rush.
To protect yourself against noise-induced hearing loss this summer, follow these tips:
- Wear earplugs when attending outdoor concerts at the Knitting Factory. Columbia Hearing Centers offers specialized musician’s plugs that protect your ears from loud sounds without distorting the quality of the music.
- Follow the 60:60 rule when listening through earbuds or headphones: listen at no more than 60% of your device’s maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.
- Wear earplugs or earmuffs when doing yard work that involves power tools, such as mowing the lawn or using a leaf blower.
- Keep your distance from loud noise sources like fireworks shows to ensure you don’t harm your ears.
Protect Your Ears Against Swimmer’s Ear
Swimmer’s ear is a painful infection of the outer ear caused by water becoming trapped. Symptoms of swimmer’s ear include itchy ear canal, pain or fullness in the ears, redness of the outer ear, drainage, swelling, fever and hearing loss.
To prevent swimmer’s ear, be sure to:
- Keep your ears dry by wearing swim plugs or a bathing cap. Columbia Hearing Centers offers custom-molded swim plugs for maximum comfort and protection.
- Dry the ears thoroughly after swimming or showering with a towel or using a hair dryer on the lowest setting.
- Do not use cotton swabs to clean or dry the ears. Leave earwax alone, as it protects your ears against infection.
For more information about protecting your ears or to schedule an appointment with an ear expert, call Columbia Hearing Centers today.