Prolonged exposure to sound can take a heavy toll on your hearing health, chiefly in places where sound levels surpass safe thresholds. Ear protection is necessary for both the prevention of hearing loss and for keeping concentration in loud environments. Therefore, what steps should you follow to find the ideal hearing protection level tailored to your situation?
Gaining insight into sound intensity and its effects
The injury caused by noise exposure is a combination of both its volume and the duration spent in that environment. dB’s are the main unit for measuring sound levels and expressing sound intensity. Hearing damage can begin when sound volume reaches 85 dB or more, especially after extended exposure.
For reference, 85 dB is equal to the noise level of city traffic experienced from inside a car. An eight-hour period of non-stop exposure can start to harm your hearing, even if the sound level doesn’t strike you as too loud. As the sound intensifies, the period of time you can be exposed safely decreases:
- A sound level of 90 dB (e.g., a Lawnmower) can cause damage after 4 hours of exposure.
- Limit your exposure to 100 dB (Power tools) to less than 1 hour.
- 110 dB (Leaf blower): Just 15 minutes of exposure can cause damage.
- Your hearing can be harmed by any exposure to a 120 dB sound (Rock concert).
- 140 dB (Jet engine): Immediate damage and pain can occur.
Pinpointing noise levels that pose a hazard
Anyone routinely around noise at 85 dB or higher, hearing protection becomes a necessary requirement. This holds most true in professional settings, such as factories, construction sites, or anywhere where machinery, tools, or gear generate excessive levels of noise.
Even outside of the job, there are circumstances where hearing protection can be helpful—attending gigs, using leaf blowers, or engaging in recreational shooting sports are all pastimes that can expose you to hazardous noise levels.
Choosing protection based on Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR)
We gauge the performance of hearing protection through its Noise Reduction Rating (the NRR). Given in dB, this figure indicates the amount of sound reduction the protective device is capable of blocking. A higher reduction in sound is ensured by higher NRR ratings. 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 far below the dangerous limit.
In choosing protection, you must evaluate the specific noise levels you face and confirm your chosen device reduces the volume sufficiently to remain under 85 dB.
Consistency relies on comfort: why it’s so important
Comfort is a factor of equal significance to the NRR, as it directly impacts whether you will wear the protection consistently for the extended period. You might be tempted to take off the protection if it is ill-fitting or awkward, thereby subjecting your ears to hazardous sound.
Choosing comfortable hearing protection leads to consistent wear, thus reducing the danger that you will be exposed to noise occasionally. Consider if, for example, your earmuffs are too heavy or ill-fitting, you could remove them now and then, leaving your ears exposed to harmful noise.
The main types of hearing protection devices
Different types of hearing protection exist, and each one presents unique pros and drawbacks:
- Offering superior noise reduction, Foam Earplugs are placed inside the ear canal. While they are lightweight and disposable, some wearers may experience discomfort.
- Resting right outside the ear canal, Pre-Molded Earplugs are reusable and thus a more eco-friendly choice. They are simpler to take out and put in than their foam counterparts.
- Earmuffs: Earmuffs cover the entire ear and are ideal for environments with fluctuating noise levels, as they’re easy to put on and take off. However, they may feel heavy or warm during extended use.
The optimal choice of protection is determined by your individual comfort and the particular demands of your environment. An illustration is construction workers preferring earmuffs for their simple convenience, while factory workers may select earplugs for a continuous period of wear.
Making sure you wear it constantly
The protection that is worn consistently is, by definition, the best performing kind. Interrupting the use, even for a brief time, may have long-term consequences for your hearing. A product that successfully integrates convenience, protection, and comfort is, therefore, paramount.
Ensure your long-term hearing health
We are always surrounded by noise, yet choosing the appropriate protective equipment ensures your ears are safeguarded, allowing you to keep enjoying your acoustic environment.
Get in touch with us today to discuss your potential of noise-induced hearing loss and find out how to optimally protect your hearing health.
