Fireworks are the main act for the fourth of July celebration, but before you head outdoors to take in the beautiful sights, make sure you think about the damage it may cause in your hearing! Exposure to excessive noise is one of the main causes of hearing loss, causing problems in higher pitches. Sounds such as fireworks, lawnmowers, concerts and construction can be harmful to hearing, causing permanent and irreversible damage.
The good news is hearing loss due to excessive noise is preventable! Our doctors of audiology reccomend using earplugs for sounds that exceed 85 decibels.
“Hearing loss due to excessive noise is totally preventable, unlike hearing loss due to old age or a medical condition.”
The American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery said earplugs should be used for prolonged exposure to noise at 85 decibels or higher such as:
— 90 decibels: Subway or train, lawnmower, shop tools.
— 115 decibels: Loud rock concert, sandblasting, car horn.
— 150 decibels: Fireworks/jet engine takeoff.
We hope you keep your ears safe this fourth of July holiday!