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Pennsylvania Ear Institute

Hearing Safety for July Fourth

  • 03 July 2024

With the excitement of July Fourth approaching, it is important to prepare for noisy fun that will occur. The signature pops and booms come at a cost, and it is essential to be able to protect yourself from them. 

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, those signature sounds could come at a high cost of irreversible hearing loss. Exposure to loud sounds can cause a form of hearing loss called noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 billion young people ages 12 through 35 are at risk of NIHL due to recreational exposure to loud sounds. 

Woman trying on earplugs NIHL can develop for many different reasons, some of which include, attending loud events, listening to personal technology devices for long periods of time, or working in a loud profession. The louder the noise, the less time it takes to damage one’s hearing. Sounds at 80 decibels or 75 decibels can lead to hearing loss if you listen to them for more than eight hours at a time. 

There are different types of everyday sounds that are typically at 75 or 80 dB - such as dogs barking, shouted conversations, busy city streets, police sirens, and some noisy restaurants. The biggest sound to watch out for during 4th of July are fireworks. Fireworks range from 150 to 175 dB, according to Boys Town National Research Hospital, which causes instant hearing damage. Remember to keep in mind some hearing tips to protect against hearing loss.

Hearing tips to protect against hearing loss or loud noises:

  • Wear hearing protection - basic earplugs can offer good protection for teens and adults. Children should also wear well-fitting ear muffs during noisy events. 
  • Keep a safe distance - the further you are from a noisy source, the less it can hurt your ear. 
  • Know your limits - leave any noisy situation if you experience ringing or ear discomfort.

If you suspect some degree of hearing loss, contact the Pennsylvania Ear Institute (PEI). Our expert audiologists will assess your hearing and make recommendations on how to address your hearing needs. For more information on PEI’s services or to make an appointment, call 215.780.3180.