As we move into the new year, I find myself thinking of just how often we encounter dangerously loud noises that could pose a threat to our hearing health. Some cases are obvious: a loud industrial workplace, shooting and hunting, etc. But many are less obvious. What about protecting your hearing while mowing the lawn? Or while attending a sports event? And what about finding relief from noise that isn't necessarily hazardous, but still threatens your peace of mind -- think: snoring, studying in a loud room...
Good hearing is one of your greatest assets. This year, resolve to protect your hearing -- and to protect your peace of mind from unwanted noise -- all year long.
January - Consider sleeping and snoring. Are you getting enough quality sleep? Probably not. Try earplugs to keep the snoring out and improve your overall sleep health. A sleep mask can be an asset, as well as a white noise machine. Shape your sleeping environment and habits well now, at the start of the year, for better sleep all year long.
February - NASCAR season begins! You don't have to sacrifice your hearing in order to enjoy the thrill of the race. Even with good hearing protection, you'll still literally feel all the noise as drivers speed by on the track.
March - Daylight Saving's Time occurs for most of the U.S. Ensure your sleeping habits are well-formed to take the bite out of the time change. Keep those earplugs nearby so you can block out noises that now occur at different times during your sleep schedule.
April - When Spring is in full bloom, we often spend time weeding, edging, trimming, and yes, of course, mowing. When you're using power tools to do your garden work, it goes a lot faster, no doubt -- but DIY activities around the home and yard can be louder than sporting events, gunshots, or even jet airplanes taking off! Even mild-mannered, more quiet tools can cause hearing damage over hours of use. Special earplugs are just starting to pop up especially for noisy DIY Home and Garden work.
May - May is Motorcycle Awareness Month! If you're a rider, you know that wind noise can take a serious toll on your hearing, especially on those nice, long spring runs down the open freeway. Cut that wind noise and enjoy a more peaceful, satisfying ride while keeping your ears safe. And if you don't ride a motorcycle yourself, remember to share the road safely with those who do!
June - June heralds the first day of summer. As pools and water parks get into full swing as the temperature rises, consider whether your swimming habits could be harming your ears. Do you have trouble getting your ears dry after a swim? Have you or your kids ever had to deal with Swimmer's Ear? Are you a surfer who needs serious protection to prevent the awful condition of Exostosis, or Surfer's Ear? A good set of earplugs for swimming can keep you and your family safe and free to enjoy the nice weather and fun water-based activities.
July - July 4th marks one of the most fun times of the year, with parades and cookouts and, best of all, fireworks! But those gorgeous fireworks can be frightening for the little ones; invest in a set of good earmuffs for your child so he or she can watch the lights without hearing damage or distressingly loud POPs and BOOMs. Have a dog who is terrified by fireworks? There are even earmuffs for dogs available, so the whole family can enjoy the festivities together, including the family's best friend.
August - Back to School season is a great time to consider your child's hearing health for the coming school year. For younger children, earmuffs for babies can bring calm to a loud and exciting classroom. For children with autism spectrum disorders and other noise sensitivities, a set of baby earmuffs can be a real lifesaver. If your child has trouble focusing, earmuffs (or earplugs, for older children or college students who might feel self-conscious about wearing highly visible earmuffs) are fantastic for getting more out of study time, and for eliminating distractions during test-taking.
September - NFL Kickoff 2015 Weekend will begin on Thursday, Sept. 10th this year. Stock up on some of these awesome NFL Earplugs to wear during games, which can be earsplittingly-loud. Or, if you won't be going to any live games, you can still wear your team's earplugs, showing your team spirit as you go about noisy day-to-day activities. Meanwhile, if you're a hunter or shooter, now is the time to get your electronic shooting ear muffs to enhance your ability to detect prey and hear game sounds while protecting your hearing from blast noise. Whatever you do during the fall, you can keep your ears safe while you do it.
October - If you enjoy live music, October is a popular time for outdoor shows and music festivals, including the world-famous Austin City Limits festival. Musician's Ear Plugs are great for live music enthusiasts. If you'll be headed to any concerts this year, seriously consider getting a pair of earplugs for music. These are designed to take the dangerously loud edge off the sound, without distorting the music or giving you that "stuffed up" feeling you can get from regular old foam earplugs. Natural Sound Musician's Ear Plugs are just as important for fans as they are for the musicians themselves!
November - It's time to take a moment out of our busy year to think about all that we have to be thankful for. Enjoy Thanksgiving with your loved ones. And take time to consider how AMAZING it is simply to be able to hear. We all too often take our hearing for granted. As this video of people hearing sound for the first time shows, hearing is an incredible gift that is all too easy to experience without appreciating. It is a great time to be grateful for all the wonderful things there are to hear in the world.
December - As the year comes to a close, consider everything LOUD you've done this year. Have you used earplugs for sleeping, snoring, studying, swimming, hunting or shooting, working around the house, working your job, attending sporting events or live concerts, going to motorsports and fireworks shows? As Christmas rolls around, consider all the wonderful NOISY things we spend our year doing -- and consider giving your friends, family, and co-workers earplugs or earmuffs for Christmas. The gift of good hearing is absolutely one of the very best gifts you can give anyone you love.
How about you? What are your 2015 New Year's Resolutions? Do you think any of the above hearing tips will help you achieve your goals this year?
Until next time, be safe and love your ears!
Sarah Bergman, Web Developer
Ear Plug Superstore
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