Let Freedom Ring! (Not Your Ears)

Happy Fourth of July! 

It is looking like the weather will be agreeable for many parts of the Bay Area, so that means spectacular fireworks!  With fireworks come explosions…  Bangs/Pops/Booms/etc.  They are spectacular and beautiful and can cause significant hearing loss.  Does this mean don't go?  Of course not.  Please go and enjoy yourselves, but take the necessary precautions.

If you are fortunate to stand under the display, or in the vicinity  please wear hearing protection, such as ear plugs.  Some explosions can cause permanent irreversible hearing loss and it can only take one exposure.  If you manage to be exposed to excessive noise and you suspect you have a noise induced hearing loss as a result, do not delay in contacting me, it may be possible to do something about it.

Have a Happy and Safe Fourth of July!

Your friend in Audiology,

Dr. Erik Breitling