Fewer things are more patriotic than attending a community fireworks display on the fourth of July. Unfortunately, the brilliant spectacle that delights our eyes also produces sounds in excess of 125 decibels – which is almost one-and-one-half times the accepted OSHA safety level of 85 dB.

Hearing professionals estimate ten million Americans’ ears have suffered permanent damage from noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL); another 30 million are exposed to dangerous noise levels on a daily basis. While aging is the primary cause of hearing loss in America, noise damage is also prevalent. Experts agree that 40 percent of hearing damage is preventable by simply protecting our ears from excessive noise.

Scientists believe loud noises produce intense vibrations that negatively affect the hair cells in our inner ear. These hair cells are responsible for converting sound energy into the electrical impulses that travel to our brain. Once these cells are damaged, they cannot be repaired.

To put things in perspective, firecrackers (140 dB) are noisier than race cars (130 dB), and almost as noisy as a shot gun blast (170 dB).

Here are a few probably obvious safety tips.

1. Keep your distance. The closer you are to the source of the noise, the louder the sound.

2. Don’t light firecrackers yourself. Experts agree it’s safer to attend community fireworks where professionals – often trained firefighters – are in charge of lighting the explosives.

3. Wear earplugs or for a young child, consider investing in a pair of sound-reducing ear muffs.

Content provided by Healthy Hearing

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” -Mark Twain