Hearing is a lot like the line from that Joni Mitchell song: “Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone?”
While some types of hearing loss (congenital, presbycusis – age-related) are not preventable, one form – noise-induced hearing loss – is entirely preventable if you take the steps to protect your hearing whenever you anticipate exposure to loud noises.
Noise-induced Hearing Loss
Exposure to loud noises is one of the leading causes of hearing loss. Our ears are always on, taking in sounds around us during our daily activities and at our jobs. Some sounds are so commonplace we do not consider the damage they may cause, such as a hair dryer or leaf blower.
Recreationally, do-it-yourself construction projects or attending rock shows or sporting events on a regular basis may pose a threat to your hearing. If you live in the city and commute via public transportation, the sounds of the train may cause harm, as will sitting in rush hour traffic with car horns blaring in close proximity.
In the workplace, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates that 30 million people in the US are “occupationally exposed to hazardous noise.” Additionally, 60% of service men and women who return from Afghanistan and Iraq have reported cases of tinnitus and hearing loss. Whether working in construction or dentistry, the repeated exposure to dangerous levels of sound may cause permanent hearing loss.
How do we know when sounds are reaching dangerous levels? One simple test: if you cannot hear someone standing an arm’s length away from you while they speak, then the environment you’re in is too loud.
How to Protect Your Hearing
At Hearing Wellness Solutions, we recommend that people who are regularly exposed to high levels of sound to use custom ear protection in their activities and occupations.
Custom ear protection comes in many forms, depending on the exposure of noise. Custom ear plugs are molded to specifically fit your ears, protecting them from the dangerous levels of sound while allowing you to hear the sounds you want to hear.
General Noise Protection
Custom molded earplugs may be used at work or for your recreational activities. For people who work long hours in noisy professions, such as factory work, carpentry, longshoremen, dentistry, and so on, the exposure to noise has much potential damage. Custom molded earplugs are also useful for commutes on public transportation, if you drive a motorcycle, or dry your hair regularly with a dryer. For people who are sports fans and attend live sporting events, custom ear plugs are recommended as sports venues tend to produce high levels of sound. For people who live in particularly noisy areas, there are custom earplugs designed for a good night’s sleep.
Musicians and Entertainment Venues
Custom ear protection is available in specially designed models to protect the ears of musicians and people who work in the entertainment industry. Whether in a large stadium or a small, intimate venue, the decibels of sound generated by speakers reach damaging volumes. Musician’s plugs are often equipped with monitors as well, so they can hear the music they are playing; musician’s in-ear monitors are preferred for larger venues. With a crowd of cheering fans, musician’s plugs and monitors help to filter out the dangerous volume of cheering while also providing them with clear sounds of their music. Custom ear protection is also recommended for people who work at venues.
Hunting and Sporting
There are custom ear protection options for a range of recreational activities, such as hunting, shooting, swimming, and surfing. With hunting and shooting, earplugs protect the ears from the loud bursts of noise from weapons while also letting in sounds you need to locate yourself within your environment, keeping you aware and alert. Swimming and surfing earplugs protect the ears from water and cold air, both of which have the potential to cause ear infection or damage to the middle and outer parts of the ear.
Invest in Your Hearing
For quick protection from noise, foam or silicon earplugs are available over the counter. But if you are regularly exposed to loud noises, consider making an investment in hearing protection. Custom ear protection, when well taken care of, lasts many years and protects your hearing from long-term damage from noise. Visit us today at Hearing Wellness Solutions to learn about the options available.
