Protecting your hearing this 4th of July

HANCOCK COUNTY, W.Va. ( WTRF ) – Fourth of July festivities are in full swing and with all the fireworks shows, live music and other loud noises, it’s important to know how to protect your hearing.

Doctor of Audiology Jill Hawkins and owner of Hawkins Hearing in Weirton says fireworks are considered an impulse noise and can cause serious damage to your hearing.

140 decibels of noise can cause permeant hearing loss, and once those nerves are damaged, there is no repairing them.

Hawkins gives some of her tips to protect your hearing health.

“Basically, wearing hearing protection if you’re going to be close to the fireworks. Or distancing yourself, most of the time they recommend at least 500 feet away from fireworks. Preferably not putting them off yourself and actually going and watching a show somewhere and protecting [your hearing] with earplugs, earmuffs, something like that would be best.”

Jill Hawkins | Doctor of Audiology & Owner of Hawkins Hearing

Hawkins says children have more sensitive hearing than adults and should always be wearing some type of ear protection at firework displays or live music performances.

She also says that newborns and infants should never be exposed to loud noises such as fireworks.

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