• Fireworks Safety: 3 Tips to Protect Your Hearing This July 4th
    Safety

    Fireworks Safety: 3 Tips to Protect Your Hearing This July 4th

    As the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day this week, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is encouraging the public to make hearing protection a priority by taking some basic precautionary measures at fireworks, festivals, parades, and other events. Many traditional Fourth of July festivities can reach potentially dangerous noise levels. Fireworks and firecrackers can be as loud as 150 decibels—louder than a jackhammer or jet plane take-off. Safe listening levels are generally considered 75-80 decibels. The louder the noise, the less time it takes to damage a person’s hearing. While noise-induced hearing loss is completely preventable, once it occurs, it is irreversible. Here are some tips to celebrate safely: 1.…