Spring seems to have finally sprung. In addition to being able to leave the house without a jacket or visit the farmer’s market on the weekends, one of the best parts of the warm weather is all of the outdoor activities you can partake in that weren’t possible during the winter months. However, some of these pastimes can be noisy, so it’s important to protect your ears while you enjoy outdoor spring and summertime activities.
Water sports
Whether you enjoy boating or jet skiiing, anything with a motor can be rough on your ears. According to Hear-It, a jet ski at full speed can get louder than 105 decibels! So if you plan on riding one, be sure to wear some form of ear protection, like foam ear plugs. Not only will this protect your hearing from the loud noises, but it’ll also keep water from getting in your ears. When you’re riding on a speedboat, your hearing can be exposed to loud decibels as well. The wind in your ears is loud enough, but sitting close to the motor could potentially cause hearing damage. When you’re riding in a speedboat, sit as far as you can from the motor, and consider wearing ear plugs.
“Give your ears periodic breaks during loud events.”
Sports and concerts
What’s a summer without a ball game or an outdoor concert? While there’s no reason to stray away from these activities, they can get pretty noisy. Outdoor concerts are typically easier on your ears than indoor ones – since the sound can dissipate more easily – but you still want to choose seats away from the speakers. Give your ears periodic breaks during loud events like baseball games or concerts by leaving the noisy areas to go to the concession stand or use the bathroom.
Fireworks
Do you know that sensation on the Fourth of July when you can feel the fireworks deep in your chest? While some may find the “boom” thrilling, if you’re able to feel the sound, your ears also can. Even though you’re far away from the fireworks themselves, the explosions can still be incredibly loud. When enjoying Independence Day festivities, be sure to wear hearing protection and stay as far away from the fireworks as you can – for both your ear health and your own personal safety.
Lawn mowing
While mowing your lawn may not be an exciting summer activity, it’s still something that has to be done. While using your lawn mower, leaf blower, edger or any other sort of outdoor maintenance tool may not seem damaging to your hearing, prolonged use can actually contribute to hearing loss. Since lawn maintenance can take quite some time on a nice spring afternoon, it’s important to protect your hearing. After all, when you see lawn care professionals working outside, they’re always wearing earmuffs. Even a pair of over-the-ear headphones can do the job of keeping unwanted noise out.
