Your hearing health can be seriously affected by long-term noise exposure, chiefly in settings where noise intensity is greater than safe limits. You must protect your ears; this is necessary for more than preventing hearing loss—it also helps you maintain focus in noisy conditions. What is the best way to choose the level of hearing protection that is optimal for you?
Gaining understanding into sound volume and its effects
Noise damage relies not only on the volume of the sound but also on how much time you are exposed to it. The primary measurement for understanding noise levels is dB, a unit employed to quantify sound volume. Sounds at 85 dB and higher can result in hearing impairment, especially when exposure is prolonged.
For context, 85 dB is equal to the noise level of city traffic experienced from inside a car. Even though this might not sound too loud, eight hours of uninterrupted exposure at this level can initiate harm to your hearing. As the sound gets louder, the period of time you can be exposed safely decreases:
- Exposure to 90 dB (the sound of a Lawnmower) for more than 4 hours could be damaging.
- Exposure to 100 dB (Power tools) must be restricted to a maximum of 60 minutes.
- 110 dB (Leaf blower): Just 15 minutes of exposure can cause damage.
- 120 dB (Rock concert): Any exposure at this level can damage your hearing.
- A sound level of 140 dB (Jet engine) can cause instant pain and damage.
Pinpointing noise levels that are risky
If you’re often exposed to noise levels of 85 dB or more, wearing hearing protection is necessary. This holds chiefly true in work settings, such as plants, building areas, or settings where equipment, tools, or gear generate excessive levels of noise.
Even outside of the job, there are circumstances where hearing protection can be beneficial—attending concerts, using leaf blowers, or engaging in recreational shooting sports are all pursuits that can expose you to hazardous noise levels.
How the NRR guides your selection
We evaluate the efficacy of hearing protection through its Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). The NRR value shows the level of sound blockage, expressed in dB, that the unit provides. More significant protection is indicated by a larger NRR value. To give a concrete example, a 30 dB NRR on earplugs would drop an 85 dB noise down to 55 dB, which is a sound level well under the dangerous limit.
In selecting protection, you must gauge the precise noise levels you face and verify your chosen protector reduces the volume sufficiently to remain under 85 dB.
Comfort is key for sustained use of protection
Although the NRR is important, comfort is equally significant for securing that the protection will be worn consistently over time. If hearing protection feels ill-fitting or awkward, you may be tempted to remove it—leaving your ears exposed to damaging noise.
When the protection is easy to wear, it encourages continuous use and minimizes the danger associated with removing it periodically. If, for instance, earmuffs feel uncomfortable or weigh too much, you are inclined to take them off intermittently, resulting in hazardous noise exposure.
What are the varieties of hearing protection?
There are several different types of hearing protection, and each has its own advantages and drawbacks:
- Foam Earplugs are worn in the ear canal and deliver excellent protection; they are disposable and light, but not everyone finds them comfortable.
- Pre-Molded Earplugs: These rest just outside the ear canal and are reusable, making them a more sustainable option. They’re easier to insert and remove compared to foam earplugs.
- Covering the whole ear, Earmuffs are perfect for settings where noise volume changes, as they can be easily removed and replaced. Their drawbacks include potentially feeling warm or heavy over a long period.
The optimal choice of protection is determined by your personal preferences and the particular needs of your environment. An illustration is construction workers favoring earmuffs for their easy convenience, while factory workers may select earplugs for a full day of wear.
The importance of uninterrupted protection
The most effective hearing protection is the one you’ll wear without fail. Even a short period without protection can cause permanent negative effects on your auditory health. For this reason, it is necessary to discover a product that provides the perfect balance of protection, comfort, and convenience.
Securing your auditory well-being
While noise is an unavoidable part of life, correct hearing protection enables you to secure your hearing without sacrificing the sounds around you.
Reach out to us right now to review your potential for noise-related hearing loss and how to most effectively safeguard your hearing health.