New Years Eve is just around the corner and many people will be excitedly making plans to see in the new year. This could include attending a local countdown firework display or even an at-home New Years Eve party with fireworks to start the new year with a bang.

However, with continuous advancements in fireworks technology over the years, they are now bigger and more powerful than ever before, so it’s important to take measures to protect your hearing.

With that in mind, Katie Ogden, Audiologist and Training Manager of ReSound North-West Europe, gives her expert advice on how to protect your hearing ahead of New Year’s Eve:

Earplugs and earmuffs
To prevent hearing loss and to keep your ears safe on New Year’s Eve, earplugs or at the very least earmuffs are essential to absorb the sound waves and lessen the noise impact.

Taking these safety precautions for your hearing will allow you to enjoy the firework display, without worrying about your hearing being damaged.

Keep at a safe distance
Fireworks usually require spectators to be at least 25 metres away from them for safety reasons, but it’s also equally important for protecting your hearing. The further away from the fireworks you are, the less of an impact the loud bangs and explosions will have on your hearing.

Take breaks from the noise
Being exposed to sound over 85dB for a prolonged period of time can cause damage to your hearing. Due to this, it’s imperative that you take breaks from the noise at a fireworks display by going inside or finding a quieter spot, as fireworks usually produce a sound output of 120dB.

Take care of your ears
There are a few ways you can take care of your ears to help reduce the chance of any temporary hearing loss. Firstly, ensure you are drinking plenty of water – the inner ear can be more vulnerable to hearing damage if you’re dehydrated.

Secondly, wear a warm hat or earmuffs to protect your ears from the cold, as cold ears will have a lower blood flow and the tissues in the inner ear can be irritated.

Avoid home displays
Choosing to attend a professional fireworks display instead of hosting your own at-home version is a much safer way to enjoy New Year’s Eve. Community displays often have a designated viewing area allocated at a safe distance from the actual fireworks, to ensure your safety.