Protect your ears this Bonfire Night

After 18 months of cancelled festivities, it’s finally time to grab a hot dog, cosy up by the bonfire (at a safe distance!), and get ready to watch a beautiful display of fireworks crackling, sizzling, whooshing into the sky.

But it’s important to stop and think about your ears before you head out for all the fun this November 5th weekend.

What is an unsafe sound level?

At up to 150 dB, fireworks are some of the loudest sounds around – far beyond the 85dB that’s deemed safe. Take a look at the list below to see where fireworks rank on the noise charts:

dB Chart

So why are fireworks regarded as ‘safe’ for ears?

However, all this doesn’t mean you should avoid your fireworks party at all costs. Because the noise from fireworks is generally not prolonged and displays don’t tend to go on for longer than about 20 minutes, you only need to follow some simple steps to protect your hearing.

  • Get a pair of earplugs, such as the ACS Ear Plugs, or the custom-fit ACS Custom Ear Plugs, to help significantly reduce the volume and help you enjoy the fireworks in comfort.
  • For kids, a pair of ear defenders are a great idea. They’re easier to wear than ear plugs and they can also be reused for other events, such as music concerts or festivals.
  • Visit an organised display where you can stay at a safe distance from the fireworks. The further away you are, the more your hearing will be protected.
  • Regularly schedule hearing check-ups to keep tabs on your ear health.
Firework

Is it time to see an audiologist?

After a fireworks display or other loud event, it’s common to experience a ringing in the ears called tinnitus. It’s often a sign that the noise was too loud and can cause a loss in hearing quality as the ears recover -- but this tinnitus should only be temporary and resolve naturally over a few days.

However, if the tinnitus is still present a week later or if you notice any longer-term changes in your hearing, it’s important to book a hearing test with an audiologist to make sure everything is okay.

They will then be able to assess any damage and let you know the best way to manage symptoms and arrange the best care for your hearing.

As well as eye care, Leightons also offers complete hearing care with our expert audiologists. Book an appointment to see us online, or give us a call on 0800 40 20 20.

You may also like

The perfect couple: Your hearing aid and smartphone
The perfect couple: Your hearing aid and smartphone
Every day, everywhere you go, you carry around a hi-def camera, a TV, a radio, a computer, an entire library, and a telephone, all at once. Yes – your smartphone is an incredible feat of technology. If you suffer from hearing loss, a smartphone combined with a hearing aid can transform your world. Maybe you’ve started to turn up the radio in the car, or you’re now relying on subtitles to enjoy your favourite TV programme. Hearing aids are smarter than ever before. Hearing aids that are even better with a smartphone Oticon Opn The world’s first internet-connected hearing aid – so you won’t be surprised to learn that it connects to your smartphone. Read more about the Oticon Opn. ReSound LiNX2 ReSound created the first ‘Made for iPhone’ hearing aid, so they know what they’re talking about when it comes to smartphone connectivity. Read more about the ReSound LiNX2. Mobile connectivity So why all the fuss about linking your hearing aid to a smartphone? Let’s take Oticon Opn hearing aids as an example: Oticon ON app lets you access a world of entertainment at the touch of a button. You can stream audio from one compatible device directly into your ear, at the volume that’s right for you. From TV to radio and even in the car, you have control. And it lets you adjust settings without having to faff about with fiddly buttons and switches on your hearing aid. Hearing aids for iPhone and Android Not having an iPhone doesn’t mean you’re missing out on the era of mobile connectivity either. There are many other devices on the market, including Phonak’s Audeo B-Direct, which are compatible with Android smartphones like Samsung’s Galaxy series. How hearing aids and smartphones talk to each other Perhaps the only technology to be named after a Norse king, Bluetooth is a form of wireless connection – think of it like a short-range, less energy intensive version of Wi-Fi. Hearing aids with Bluetooth can connect to your smartphone and other personal devices. This is because it creates a personalised listening experience. The audio can be streamed straight to your ears and can match the personal settings of your hearing aids. And if you’re a music buff you can transform your hearing aids into your very own wireless earphones. You can even decide whether you want to stream audio to just one hearing aid or both. Hearing care If you’d like more information on the type of hearing aid that’s right for you, or you’d like to book a free hearing assessment, then talk to our friendly team of Leightons experts on 0800 40 20 20. You can also pop into your nearest Leightons branch or book an appointment online.
Learn more
Right Arrow
Navigation Previous
Navigation Next