The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and Judy Marquess-Lara, Au.D., an audiologist at Franciscan
St. Elizabeth Health in partnership with Whisper Hearing Centers encourages area residents to remember to protect their ears during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday.
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, noise from exploding fireworks can top 155 decibels (dB). If you are sitting very close to the blasts, there is potential for immediate, sudden, and permanent hearing loss. Some tips for minimizing the loudness of fireworks and firecrackers include:
- Sit at least 500 feet from where the fireworks are launched. Fireworks noise for spectators 800 feet away ranges from 88 to 126 dB. But from 10 feet away, it’s 155 dB—louder than a military jet takeoff.
- If you notice ringing or buzzing in your ears, move farther away.
- Bring earplugs for every family member. You can find them at many drug stores or sporting goods stores for just for a few dollars or less. (For children under 7 or 8, these earplugs may be too big, so consider using child-size earmuffs. Ear protection must fit properly in order to provide protection.
For a point of reference, here are some common summer sounds and their decibel (dB) levels:
Rustling leaves: 10 decibels
A whisper: 20 dB
Humming of a fridge: 40 dB
A conversation: 60 dB
Busy street traffic: 70 dB
Vacuum cleaner: 80 dB
Lawn mower: 90 dB
A large orchestra: 98 dB
See how fireworks and other loud noises measure up.
Fireworks for spectators 800 feet away: 88 to 126 dB
Fireworks for spectators 10 feet away: 155 dB
Front row of a rock concert: 110 dB
Military jet takeoff: 140 dB
Motorcycles, firecrackers, small firearms: 120 to 150 dB
Dr. Marquess-Lara’s office is located at 1501 Hartford St., Lafayette, on the St. Elizabeth Central campus. To schedule an appointment, please call (765) 423-6855.
Posted by Rob Ford at 10:18 AM