Custom Hearing Protection
Our world is filled with noise; traffic, concerts, festivals, listening to music through iPods at high volume and hobbies like recreational shooting. Loud noise is particularly harmful to the inner ear or cochlea. A one-time exposure to extreme loud sound or listening to loud sounds for a long time can cause hearing loss. Loud noise can damage cells and membranes in the cochlea. Listening to loud noise for a long time can overwork hair cells in the ear, which can cause these cells to die. The hearing loss progresses as long as the exposure continues.
Both the intensity and the duration of noise exposure determine the potential for damage to the hair cells of the inner ear. Even sounds perceived as “comfortably” loud can be harmful. Although, the sensitivity of each individual is different, experts agree that a safe limit is 85 dB and this should not exceed 4 hours/day. Noise levels of 85 dB or more are unsafe. For example, people exposed to sound exceeding 89 dB for more than 5 hours per week can suffer permanent hearing damage over time. More and more young people are at risk of noise-induced hearing loss because of the increasing use of headphones to listen to music.
High levels of noise exposure usually come from occupational noise (such as factories) or recreational noise (such as personal music players). Musicians and motor sport enthusiasts are at high risk for developing noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus.
Unfortunately, hearing damage is permanent and irreversible– which is why it is crucial to protect your hearing and practice safe listening. We urge people to be aware of the risks of excessive noise exposure and to practice prevention. Occupational medical standards are necessary to ensure that employees are fit to conduct safe and effective operations. For hearing protection solutions to be effective, they should attenuate noise to below 85 dB; have a good fit; be used correctly and maintained in good working condition.
Type of ear protection
Foam Plugs which expand in the ear to reduce external noise. Unfortunately, they also reduce the frequencies important for understanding speech and wearers typically complain that voices sound muffled.
Generic Fit Plugs such as ER20 are designed to reduce sound levels evenly so that music and speech are clear and natural, not muffled as with other earplugs.
Custom Plugs require an impression of the ear canal to be taken by the Audiologist. They are custom moulded to the shape of your ears, for a tight seal and comfortable fit. They reduce sound levels evenly across the frequency range without changing the sound quality as a result music and speech remain clear, but quieter and safer.
Custom-moulded Earplugs have been developed for a variety of purposes, including Personal (sleeping/ swimming), Music, Industrial and Recreational.
Motorcycle and noise Earplugs reduce wind, engine and road noise to help you hear important sounds. They are comfortable fit under your helmet. Also, they can be made compatible with mobile phones, and MP3 players.
Sleepsound Earplugs are suitable for people who have difficulty sleeping due either to their snoring partner or because of living in a noisy environment. They are specially designed for sleeping and can be worn comfortably within the ear all night. They reduce noise substantially while you are still able to hear the alarm clock and smoke alarm go off.
Musicians’ Earplugs are available with different levels of noise attenuation depending on what instrument you play and in which sort of situations.
Swimfit Earplugs have water-tight fit, are suitable for swimmer’s ear, children or adults who have grommets or perforations/hole in the eardrum and adults who have surfers’ ear (exostoses).
At The Hearing Specialist, we offer many different options for custom hearing protection. If you are or plan to be exposed to loud noises such as music, guns, power tools, or motorcycles you should be wearing hearing protection. Contact us to discuss the different options we have. If you have been exposed to loud noise and concerned about your hearing, we can help you determine if there has been any damage and make the appropriate recommendation.
