Fireworks have potential to blast hearing health

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), July, 2004

The boom from Fourth of July fireworks may send shivers down a person's spine, but for a Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., audiologist, the sound rings of potential hearing impairment. "People generally underestimate the effect loud noises have on their hearing, and they do not realize that if they are relatively close to a fireworks blast, it may take only one blast to cause permanent hearing damage," cautions Robert Novak, director of clinical education in audiology and associate department head.

Novak recommends people bring disposable ear plugs to any fireworks show and use them when noises get so overwhelming that they no longer can carry on a conversation without yelling to someone who is standing less than three feet away. "Large public fireworks shows can be compared to attending a concert with loud, amplified music blaring from speakers that are pointed at the audience. The distance from fireworks explosions is the deciding factor as to how loud the sound will be, as well as if there are reflective surfaces, such as tall buildings, to echo or amplify the sound."

Individuals using their own personal fireworks should set them off in an open field to reduce echoes. They also should move as far away from the explosion as possible after each device is ignited.