I'm sure most of you are planning on catching a public fireworks show this 4th of July. Watching them can be really exciting, but did you know you can risk noise-induced hearing loss?

Here's how loud some common summer sounds are:

Having a conversation: 60 decibels
Mowing the lawn: 95
Riding a motorcycle: 110
Listening to a live concert: 120
Exploding your own firecrackers (which is NOT safe by the way): 150
Watching fireworks: 130 to 190, depending on how far away you are

10 seconds of a loud fireworks display may be just as dangerous for your ears as an hour of pushing the lawn mower. Some ears are more susceptible to damage than others, but once noise-induced hearing loss has occurred, it's permanent.

Did you know that noise-induced damage is the reason so many people have to wear hearing aids? You can prevent this pain and damage by wearing a pair of inexpensive ear plugs.

What should you do if you think you've suffered ear damage from noise? To find out read more

If your ears are ringing or there is a muffled sensation in your ears after seeing some fireworks, try to rest your ears and stay away from loud noises. Stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol, caffeine and cigarette smoke, which might decrease the flow of blood to the small blood vessels in your inner ear.

If you're still not hearing well after a few days, or your ears feel weird or are in pain, see an audiologist or doctor right away. Unfortunately permanent damage is irreversible, so if I were you, I'd wear those ear plugs! If you can't find earplugs, make some ear plugs with paper napkins, facial tissue or toilet paper - every little bit of muffling the noise helps.

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