Watch our short Hearing Protection with Custom Molded Earplugs video below!
Exposure to loud sounds, even over a short period of time, can forever damage your sense of hearing. Protect your hearing to prevent noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus.
The Consequences of Loud Sounds
Encountering loud sounds in your environment is not unusual, but you should pay attention to how often and how intense the sounds around you are. A sound with a decibel range measuring over 80-85 decibels is considered capable of causing discomfort and/or hearing damage over time. An example of sounds in the 80-85 decibel range include a blender, a lawnmower, or a passing motorcycle.
The general rule of thumb should be that if it sounds too loud, it is too loud. Sounds at or below 70 decibels (dB) are considered safe. This level of sound is equal to a normal conversation between two people. The issue is that in our society we experience loud noise around us every day whether it be at work or in our daily routine.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) advises limiting workplace noise to no more than 85 dB over an eight hour shift. While this may be possible in some occupations, like working as a librarian, it is not achievable in most. Even if you work in a relatively quiet space, your daily routine of listening to music, watching TV, or going to the movies can cause Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL).
NIHL can be immediate or it can take a long time to be noticeable. It can also be temporary or permanent, and it can affect anyone at any age. NIHL combined with aging can lead to hearing loss severe enough to require the use of hearing aids. Tinnitus, a roaring, buzzing or ringing in the ears, can also be brought on by loud sounds. The bright side of all of this information is that NIHL is preventable!
Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss with Custom Earplugs
There are a lot of things you can do to lessen your risk of noise-induced hearing loss. Understanding how much noise you can safely be exposed to, limiting time spent in noisy environments, and wearing hearing protection are all great ideas. However, custom hearing protection is the best idea!
Custom earplugs provide the best protection from noise because they offer a personalized fit that eliminates gaps for any noise to creep in. While general headphones and earplugs reduce noise by an average of 15 to 20 dB, custom earplugs, that provide a precise seal to ward off sounds, can reduce harmful noise by up to 31 dB, making them a superior choice. While the initial cost of custom earplugs may be a little higher, the durability and longevity of the product pays off.
Another positive to custom earplugs is that they are safer than over-the-counter products because they cannot be pushed too far into the ear canal. They are also usually made with medical-grade material that is high-quality, comfortable, and safe to use.
The process for making custom earplugs is quick and painless. A hearing care professional, like those at Hearing Solution Centers, takes an impression of your ear canal and outer ear which is used to make a mold to create your custom earplugs. The completed earplugs are effective, comfortable, and a long-term investment in your hearing health.
Reach out to Hearing Solution Centers today to schedule your appointment for custom earplugs!