FESTIVAL goers across London will be keen to get back into the swing of things this summer after events were wiped out due to the pandemic.
While their return is long overdue, Specsavers is encouraging everyone to take a moment to look after their vision and hearing to ensure they don’t compromise on their enjoyment.
Gordon Harrison, Specsavers chief audiologist, says: ‘It’s so important to protect your ears if you are exposed to high levels of noise. Not only can loud noise cause pain, tinnitus, and a temporary loss of hearing, long-term exposure can cause permanent, irreparable nerve damage, that may not show up for a number of years. It’s really not worth the risk.’
Gordon continues: ‘It’s a good idea to invest in some earplugs that can be popped in when the sound gets too much. Normal levels of conversation are about 65 decibels, and hearing can be damaged by prolonged exposure to 85 decibels and above. Festivals and concerts are typically much louder than this, often measuring around 95-120 decibels, so it is so important we take the necessary measures to protect ourselves.’
There are a wide range of hearing protection products available at Specsavers, from instant fit hearing plugs to custom fit devices that are designed to fit the shape of your ear. If you’re unsure of where to start the in-store experts are always on hand to offer their advice.
When it comes to our eyes, it is important that we protect them too – particularly if you’re going to be spending a prolonged period of time outdoors in the sun.
Giles Edmonds, Specsavers clinical service director, says: ‘Prolonged exposure of your eyes to UV rays has been linked to cataracts, macular degeneration and even some types of eye cancer.
‘Before you buy a pair of cheap sunnies make sure they provide adequate protection – not all do. Sunglasses don’t need to be expensive but they should always conform to agreed safety standards. Look out for a CE (European Community Standard), BSEN1836 (British Standard) or UV400 markings and aim for a pair that offer 80 per cent light reduction.’
And, if you’re camping, make sure to follow the correct hygiene measures if you’re handling contact lenses.
Giles adds: ‘It’s really important to keep our hands clean when handling contact lenses – you wouldn’t put something dirty into your mouth so why would you do the same with your eyes? Ensure hands are clean and dry when putting in and taking out your lenses. Don’t forget to always rub, rinse and store your lenses in the recommended solution too – never use water as this risks bacteria contamination.’
