Fireworks can damage hearing. Take precautions to protect your hearing and the hearing of your loved ones during the summer holiday season.
The Fourth of July holiday is rapidly approaching. Firecrackers and noisemakers abound! The World Health Organization recommends that adults do not expose their ears to more than 140 decibels of sound. For children, the recommendation is 120 decibels. A firecracker can produce noise as high as 150-175 decibels, and a fireworks show can reach 130 decibels. Time to protect your hearing!
Dangerous Decibels
Fireworks are dangerous decibels. Whether shooting fireworks in your driveway or watching a public display, you and your children could be at risk. The subsequent hearing loss could be temporary or permanent. Why take the chance? Protect your hearing.
Audiologists report that they experience an increase in visits after the Fourth of July due to a “ringing in the ears.” The danger of harming those delicate hair cells that reside in our snail-shaped Cochlea is real. If permanently damaged, the quality of hearing is severely impacted. Hearing loss is a tragedy. Why? Because hearing is our primary means of staying connected to others through conversation.
A woman I know owned a rollerskate shop and frequently had a booth at roller derby events. These events are loud and NOISY. Having struggled with tinnitus in one of her ears for most of her adult life, she does not wish the same curse on her baby boy. She invested in hearing protection earmuffs for infants. Her baby boy fussed a bit with them on, but certainly not enough to have to remove them. (Photo below.)
There are several manufacturers of hearing protection earmuffs for infants and children.
Protect YOUR hearing
And don’t forget to protect YOUR hearing too with inexpensive ear plugs available from any drug store or online. My husband keeps a pair of ear plus in his wallet! As a musician (violinist), he takes no chances with his hearing.
