It’s hard to believe that the Fourth of July is less than one week away. For many of us, that means celebrating with family and friends by barbequing, playing lawn games and, of course, watching fireworks displays.
While watching fireworks can be a fun, family-friendly activity, it’s important that you take the proper precautions to protect your hearing health and prevent noise-induced hearing loss.
What Is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?
Noise-induced hearing loss is hearing loss that is caused when loud sounds damage the hair cells in the inner ear. It’s one of the most common causes of hearing loss and affects people of all ages.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “An estimated 12.5% of children and adolescents aged 6–19 years (approximately 5.2 million) and 17% of adults aged 20–69 years (approximately 26 million) have suffered permanent damage to their hearing from excessive exposure to noise.”
Protect Your Ears While Watching Fireworks
Firework shows can reach volumes above 100 decibels (dB), which is above the 85 dB threshold where hearing loss can start to occur. Thankfully, you don’t need to avoid fireworks to keep your ears safe; you just need to keep in mind the following tips:
- Use hearing protection. Hearing protection devices like earplugs, earmuffs and noise-canceling headphones can help reduce the volume to non-harmful levels while still allowing you to enjoy the beautiful visual display of the fireworks.
- Move away from the sound. A good rule of thumb is that if the sound seems too loud, it probably is. Since fireworks shows can best be enjoyed at a distance, make sure you’re sitting at least 500 feet away from the source of the sound. If you or someone in your family experiences symptoms like ear pain, tinnitus or headaches, or you need to shout to talk, move farther away.
- Avoid setting off your own fireworks. Local venues like Memorial Park have a designated area that allows you to view the fireworks at a safe distance. This is better for your hearing health than setting off fireworks on your own.
- Visit a hearing specialist at first signs of a problem. If you find that your hearing seems muffled or that you’re experiencing a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears after a fireworks display, make an appointment with a hearing specialist. They can assess if the damage is temporary or permanent and recommend hearing aids or other treatment options depending on the type of hearing loss you have.
To learn more about how to protect your hearing or to schedule an appointment, contact Ear Specialists of Omaha & Bellevue today.