Common Activities that Need Ear Protection

One of the most common causes of hearing loss is exposure to loud noise. A hearing health professional will be the first to advise you on the cause of your hearing loss, and as a sound is measured in decibels, a hearing test can determine precisely the extent of your hearing loss.

Your lifestyle determines why you are losing your hearing, and if you're not paying attention, you are going to be risking your hearing the longer you are exposed to sound.

Most people won't measure decibels, why would they? So, you need to know the most common activities that could be affecting your hearing. So, these are activities that you shouldn't do without the right ear protection.

Power tool use

You could have a DIY project on the go or you could be working on a construction site, but if you are using power tools, then you need to consider ear protection. A hearing health professional will be able to confirm whether you need ear protection with power tools being used, but your work may well enforce this!

Watching fireworks

Everyone loves the pretty sky display you can get during events, but not many people think that one sudden exposure to a loud bang is dangerous. It's more dangerous to be exposed to loud noises just once rather than on a continuous basis. Fireworks can produce 150db of sound and while you can cover your ears, wearing ear protection like earplugs is a much better idea. Cheap, foam earplugs can do very nicely for a night of bright enjoyment!

Gardening

Being outdoors is fun, and being in the garden tending to the lawn can bring a sense of satisfaction. However, if you are using powerful electric lawn mowers to make your garden look pretty, you need to wear the right hearing protection while you do it. You could be being hit with around 90db of noise with the average lawn mower, and other tools like trimmers and leaf blowers can do just as much damage. Earmuffs should be worn at all times to avoid the same level of damage as on a construction site. Don't take your hearing for granted while you do the chores that you enjoy.

Surfing and skiing

Did you know that not all hearing damage happens because of noise? Exposing your ears to the wind, cold and elements can be just as severe for your hearing health. Surfers often wear earplugs during a competition to protect their ears from damage from the waves. Skiing exposes you to high winds and snow, which is why keeping your ears covered is essential.

Enjoying the environment that has excessive noise isn't always fun for your health, but a conversation at an appointment with a hearing health professional can help you to put things into perspective. They will assess your hearing levels, and help you to set the right measures in place to ensure the best hearing protection available to you.