What Kinds of Outdoor Activities Require Hearing Protection?

When it comes to outdoor activities, there are many things to consider in order to have a safe and enjoyable experience. One important factor that is often overlooked is the need for hearing protection. There are many different types of outdoor activities that can potentially damage your ears if you’re not wearing the proper hearing protection. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common activities that require hearing protection, as well as the best type of protection for each one.

Swimming

Swimming is a great activity for both exercise and fun. However, it’s important to wear earplugs when swimming in order to protect your hearing from possible damage. The water pressure can cause discomfort or even hearing loss if one isn’t wearing protection. Earplugs are designed to form a seal in the ear canal and create a barrier that protects their ears from the pressure caused by submerging in the water.

The importance of wearing earplugs when swimming should not be underestimated, especially for young children who are more prone to experiencing ear problems due to their still-developing bodies. Furthermore, since ear infections are common with swimmers, using earplugs can help reduce the risk of developing an infection. Additionally, they also offer comfort, as their snug fit reduces the amount of water that enters the ears during swimming sessions.

Mowing the Lawn

Mowing the lawn is a very common outdoor activity, but it can be very loud and potentially damaging to your hearing. Lawn mowers create noise levels that exceed 85 decibels – the threshold for sound that can cause permanent damage to your hearing if exposed for an extended period of time. This means that wearing ear protection is essential when operating a lawn mower to protect yourself from potential long-term effects such as tinnitus or hearing loss.

Earmuffs are the most effective type of hearing protection for this particular type of activity since they form a tight seal in the ear canal, blocking out external noise. If you’re especially sensitive to noise, you may want to consider investing in a pair of custom earmuffs which are more comfortable and provide a better fit.

Hunting and Shooting

Shooting is another activity that can potentially damage your hearing if it’s done without proper hearing protection. Gunshots create noise levels that exceed 140 decibels, which is enough to cause permanent injury to your ears with just one shot if you’re not wearing the right kind of protection. The most common type of hearing protection for shooting activities are over-the-ear muffs or custom molded earplugs designed specifically for this purpose.

Earmuffs offer extra coverage by covering the entire ear, providing a higher level of noise reduction. Custom molded earplugs can be designed to fit the shape of your ear perfectly and provide a snug yet comfortable fit. Additionally, they are also made from durable materials that can withstand repeated use.

No matter what type of outdoor activity you’re engaging in, it’s important to remember to wear hearing protection when needed in order to protect yourself from potential hearing damage. Make sure you find the right type of hearing protection for each activity and wear them every time to ensure your ears stay safe! Talk with your audiologist about hearing protection.