Summer Recreation Yields High Risk for Ear Damage Among Both Children and Adults
Sound Relief Hearing Center’s Dr. Julie Provides 5 Tips to Protect Your Hearing During the Noisiest Season
Centennial, CO, June 21, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Dr. Julie Prutsman of Sound Relief Hearing Center, Colorado’s premier provider of hearing and tinnitus services, has released five tips for children and adults to protect their ears and hearing during summer recreation. Summer is the loudest season and typical activities such as swimming, watching fireworks, landscaping, attending a rock concert or motorcycling can be potentially damaging to the ears. Increased awareness of noise exposure and the use of hearing protection can prevent permanent damage from the loud sounds of summer.
The greatest risk for permanent hearing damage comes from exposure to high sound levels. Concerts, fireworks, and motorcycles all produce extremely high sound levels. Fireworks can produce sound levels of 150 decibels, comparable to the level of sound produced by a jet engine. Loud rock concerts have been measured to produce up to 115 decibels of sound, according to Environmental Health and Safety Today magazine.
“Prolonged exposure to sounds over 85 decibels can greatly impact your hearing,” stated Dr. Julie. “Hearing damage may affect your ability to hear high pitches, understand normal conversation and can sometimes lead to tinnitus, or ringing in the ears.”
In general, exposure to loud sounds should be limited and only sustained for very short periods of time when possible. For individuals participating in summer recreational activities, Dr. Julie recommends adhering to the following steps to prevent ear damage this summer:
1. Water Sports - For both adults and children who spend long periods of time in the water, Dr Julie recommends wearing custom swim plugs to avoid swimmer's ear (outer ear infection) and/or ear infections (middle ear). Those participating in triathlons or other competitive swimming events are especially at risk due to the repeated submersion and movement underwater.
2. Concerts - Concert-goers are often unaware of the hearing risks they take when attending a show. Custom fit filtered ear plugs are the best hearing protection option that allows concert-goers to enjoy the richness of the music without excessive noise damage. Often worn by musicians on stage, these ear plugs work well for any genre of music. Another popular form of hearing protection at concerts is protective headphones or earmuffs. In addition to adult sizes, small earmuffs are available for children in fun colors.
3. Fireworks — Often creating extremely high decibels of sound, firework displays can be very damaging to the ears. Earplugs and earmuffs are the best way to protect the ears at these events. Earplugs can be purchased over-the-counter or custom made. Over-the-counter earplugs are inexpensive and widely available at most stores and pharmacies. Custom earplugs can be ordered from an audiologist; they are made of more durable material and molded to fit each individual’s ear for premium comfort.
4. Landscaping — Lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, chain saws and other high pitch outdoor power tools can be very damaging to the ears. Earplugs plus ear muffs are recommended for home-landscapers to avoid tinnitus.
5. Motorcycling — For motorcyclists, who are often exposed to loud engine noises for prolonged periods of time, custom motorcycling earplugs are recommended. These special plugs are comfortable to wear under a helmet and will protect from ear damage and tinnitus.
“In general, I recommend folks remain aware of the sounds around them,” continued Dr. Julie. “Protecting your ears from outside noise is a simple solution that will help with potential ear damage, premature hearing loss, and tinnitus.”
Sound Relief Hearing Center specializes in custom ear protection and can provide consultations to individuals and families concerned with hearing protection. To learn more about Sound Relief Hearing Center, visit www.YourEarDoc.com.
About Sound Relief Hearing Center
Sound Relief Hearing Center is a family-owned-and-operated audiology practice with a rich family history in the hearing health industry. Representing the family’s second and third generation respectively, this mother/daughter team of hearing professionals has a combined 45 years of experience in providing the best possible hearing care to Colorado. With offices in Centennial and Highlands Ranch, Sound Relief Hearing Center offers a full range of diagnostic and preventative hearing health services, including tinnitus testing and treatment, hearing screening, evaluations, hearing aid sales, and rehabilitative and preventative counseling. For more information, visit www.YourEarDoc.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
The greatest risk for permanent hearing damage comes from exposure to high sound levels. Concerts, fireworks, and motorcycles all produce extremely high sound levels. Fireworks can produce sound levels of 150 decibels, comparable to the level of sound produced by a jet engine. Loud rock concerts have been measured to produce up to 115 decibels of sound, according to Environmental Health and Safety Today magazine.
“Prolonged exposure to sounds over 85 decibels can greatly impact your hearing,” stated Dr. Julie. “Hearing damage may affect your ability to hear high pitches, understand normal conversation and can sometimes lead to tinnitus, or ringing in the ears.”
In general, exposure to loud sounds should be limited and only sustained for very short periods of time when possible. For individuals participating in summer recreational activities, Dr. Julie recommends adhering to the following steps to prevent ear damage this summer:
1. Water Sports - For both adults and children who spend long periods of time in the water, Dr Julie recommends wearing custom swim plugs to avoid swimmer's ear (outer ear infection) and/or ear infections (middle ear). Those participating in triathlons or other competitive swimming events are especially at risk due to the repeated submersion and movement underwater.
2. Concerts - Concert-goers are often unaware of the hearing risks they take when attending a show. Custom fit filtered ear plugs are the best hearing protection option that allows concert-goers to enjoy the richness of the music without excessive noise damage. Often worn by musicians on stage, these ear plugs work well for any genre of music. Another popular form of hearing protection at concerts is protective headphones or earmuffs. In addition to adult sizes, small earmuffs are available for children in fun colors.
3. Fireworks — Often creating extremely high decibels of sound, firework displays can be very damaging to the ears. Earplugs and earmuffs are the best way to protect the ears at these events. Earplugs can be purchased over-the-counter or custom made. Over-the-counter earplugs are inexpensive and widely available at most stores and pharmacies. Custom earplugs can be ordered from an audiologist; they are made of more durable material and molded to fit each individual’s ear for premium comfort.
4. Landscaping — Lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, chain saws and other high pitch outdoor power tools can be very damaging to the ears. Earplugs plus ear muffs are recommended for home-landscapers to avoid tinnitus.
5. Motorcycling — For motorcyclists, who are often exposed to loud engine noises for prolonged periods of time, custom motorcycling earplugs are recommended. These special plugs are comfortable to wear under a helmet and will protect from ear damage and tinnitus.
“In general, I recommend folks remain aware of the sounds around them,” continued Dr. Julie. “Protecting your ears from outside noise is a simple solution that will help with potential ear damage, premature hearing loss, and tinnitus.”
Sound Relief Hearing Center specializes in custom ear protection and can provide consultations to individuals and families concerned with hearing protection. To learn more about Sound Relief Hearing Center, visit www.YourEarDoc.com.
About Sound Relief Hearing Center
Sound Relief Hearing Center is a family-owned-and-operated audiology practice with a rich family history in the hearing health industry. Representing the family’s second and third generation respectively, this mother/daughter team of hearing professionals has a combined 45 years of experience in providing the best possible hearing care to Colorado. With offices in Centennial and Highlands Ranch, Sound Relief Hearing Center offers a full range of diagnostic and preventative hearing health services, including tinnitus testing and treatment, hearing screening, evaluations, hearing aid sales, and rehabilitative and preventative counseling. For more information, visit www.YourEarDoc.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Contact
Sound Relief Hearing Center
Diana Crawford
502.727.8881
www.youreardoc.com/
Diana Crawford
502.727.8881
www.youreardoc.com/
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