Summer Sounds

Protect Your Hearing and Savor Every Moment

Summer is all about music festivals, fireworks, vacations, and poolside fun — but if you have hearing loss, you might wonder if you can fully join in. The good news? You absolutely can. With some planning, hearing protection, and greater awareness of your surroundings, nothing has to come between you and your favorite seasonal activities.

Whether you’re managing hearing loss or looking to protect the hearing you have, summer is a critical time to be intentional about your hearing health. Exposure to loud sounds at events can take a toll — sometimes permanently.

 

The Summer-Hearing Connection

Summer brings more time outside, more socializing, and more noise — all of which can challenge your hearing. Many common seasonal activities exceed safe sound levels:

• Lawn mower: 85–90 dB
• Outdoor concert: 95–110 dB
• Jet engine (nearby): 130–140 dB
• Firecrackers: 150 dB

Sounds above 85 dB can cause damage over time, while sudden blasts above 120 dB can cause immediate harm. If you already have hearing loss, additional exposure can worsen symptoms or affect how well your devices perform. If you have undamaged hearing, repeated exposure increases your risk for noise-induced hearing loss. However, awareness and prevention can go a long way.

 

Hear Every Beat: Safer Concerts and Festivals

Live music is powerful — and accessible. Today’s concerts are increasingly inclusive for those with hearing loss. Look for:

• Assistive listening devices (ALDs)
• Closed-captioning screens
• Sign language interpreters
• Designated viewing areas

High-fidelity earplugs preserve sound quality while reducing volume, protecting your hearing without muting the music. If you wear hearing aids, ask your audiologist how to combine them with hearing protection or when to remove them to prevent feedback.

Bluetooth® hearing aids or cochlear implants may also stream audio directly from the venue. Always arrive with fully charged devices and backups.

After the show, give your ears a break in a quiet space — especially if you notice muffled hearing or ringing (temporary threshold shift).

 

Hearing Risks Beyond Music

Summer isn’t just concerts. Other high-risk activities include:

Fireworks: These can reach 150 dB. Stay at least 500 feet away and wear ear protection.

Air shows & races: Jet engines and motorsports are exciting but extremely loud. Bring earmuffs or plugs, especially for children.

Swimming: If you find yourself poolside, make sure to bring a ziplock bag to keep your devices dry.

Yard work: Lawn mowers, string trimmers, and power tools reach 85–100 dB. Wear ear protection and take breaks.

Motorcycles & speedboats: Wind noise over time can damage hearing. Helmets and earplugs help reduce risk without sacrificing awareness.

 

Travel and Social Events

Heading to a wedding? Let others know about your hearing needs. Choose quieter areas for conversation, use apps for captions or amplification, and ask about hearing loops or ALDs in public venues.

 

Keep Your Hearing in Shape

• Schedule a hearing test to track changes.
• Know the signs: tinnitus, muffled sounds, or struggling to hear in noise.
• Invest in protection tailored to your lifestyle.

 

Why It Matters

Hearing connects you to joy, music, laughter, and life. Nearly 1 in 4 U.S. adults ages 20–69 already show signs of hearing damage — often without knowing it. Once it’s gone, it doesn’t come back.

This summer, protect what helps you connect.

If you haven’t had a hearing checkup recently, now is the perfect time. Summer’s loudest events can be the most memorable, but only if you’re able to experience them with clarity, confidence, and protection — because summer is better when you can hear every beat.

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