Protect Your Ears and Stay Comfortable This Summer

It’s summertime, and the livin’ is easy. Pools, concerts, motorcycle rides, fireworks…there is no shortage of fun to be had in the summer. However, many people do not realize how often they put their ears at risk during popular summer activities.

The Pennsylvania Ear Institute (PEI) is excited to bring the popular “Gear Up for Summer” campaign back, just in time for the warm weather. A common summer complaint is irritation and pain in the ears after swimming. Although that lake or swimming pool may appear inviting, danger often lurks beneath the surface in the form of microscopic bacteria. These germs can enter the ear canals and cause a painful infection known as otitis externa, or swimmer’s ear.

Fortunately, swimmer’s ear and other infections associated with water activities are easily prevented by wearing swim plugs made of waterproof silicone. These create a tight seal that prevents water from entering the ear canals.

Many popular summer activities can also be hazardous to our ears due to high decibel levels. Prolonged exposure to the sounds of lawn mowers, power tools, motorized vehicles, sporting events, concerts and fireworks can all lead to irreversible hearing damage. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep your ears safe and prevent long-term damage.

The following tips are recommended by the Better Hearing Institute: 

Use earplugs. Wear disposable earplugs or custom earmolds to prevent damage to your hearing.

Leave fireworks to the professionals. Fireworks represent an extreme noise hazard and should be restricted to professionals. Enjoy them from a distance and wear earplugs for an extra level of hearing protection.

Protect against swimmer’s ear. Invest in a pair of swimmer’s plugs to keep water out of your ears. Dry ears thoroughly afterwards, tilt your head to drain any residual water and avoid swimming where bacteria counts are high.

Prepare for the warm weather with custom ear protection, swimming plugs, sleeping plugs and custom earphones, which will have you all ready to take the warm weather by storm. Whether you'll be swimming laps or attending concerts, PEI can help protect your ears so you can relax all summer long. 

Use the hashtag #gEARupforsummer to tell us how you're getting ready for the season.