As Americans gather to celebrate Independence Day with cookouts, parades, and fireworks, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what freedom means, especially when it comes to our health, independence, and well-being. We encourages everyone to protect their well-being and “let freedom ring”, safely, by protecting your hearing during July 4th festivities.

Fireworks are a cherished tradition on the Fourth of July, lighting up the sky with bright colors and big booms. But here’s a fact that might surprise you: fireworks can reach noise levels of 150 to 175 decibels! That’s louder than a jet engine and can permanently damage your hearing immediately. (Learn more about noise exposure and hearing loss here.)

Tips for a Hearing-Safe Fourth

With a few smart strategies to protect your ears and those of your loved ones, you can keep the fun going by:

• Keeping Your Distance: The further away you are from fireworks, the lower the sound intensity. Stay at least 500 feet away from launch zones when possible.
• Using Hearing Protection: Foam earplugs or over-the-ear protection (especially for children) can significantly reduce harmful noise exposure.
• Bringing the Protection to the Party: If you're attending a parade, concert, or backyard bash with loud music, come prepared with hearing protection. Even short bursts of loud music can be harmful over time.
• Downloading a Decibel Meter App: Several free smartphone apps can help you gauge whether the environment is too loud—and when to step back or plug in your ear protection. Here is an app created by the CDC for iPhones. An android compatible app can be found here.
• Being Especially Mindful of Kids: Children’s ears are more sensitive to loud sounds. Ensure they have hearing protection if you're attending fireworks or other noisy events.

Taking simple precautions today helps ensure you’ll continue to enjoy the sounds of celebration for many years to come. From everyone at the Hearing Industries Association (HIA), we wish you a joyful, safe, and sound-filled Fourth of July!