Prolonged exposure to loud noise can take a heavy toll on your hearing health, especially in environments where sound levels exceed safe thresholds. Ear protection is important for both the prevention of hearing impairment and for maintaining concentration in loud areas. What is the best way to determine the amount of hearing protection that is suitable for you?
How noise levels affect your hearing
The effects of noise exposure aren’t just about loudness but also the length of exposure. The primary measurement for understanding noise levels is decibels, a unit used to quantify sound intensity. When sound levels get to 85 dB or higher, they can begin to damage your hearing, chiefly with extended exposure.
As a frame of context, 85 dB is approximately the same volume as the sound of city traffic heard from within a car. While this may not seem overly loud, continuous exposure for eight hours can start to damage your hearing. The safe time of exposure becomes brief when the sound is louder:
- A sound level of 90 dB (e.g., a Lawnmower) can cause damage after 4 hours of exposure.
- You should keep exposure to 100 dB (such as Power tools) to one hour or less.
- Only 15 minutes of exposure to 110 dB (like a Leaf blower) is enough to cause harm.
- Even momentary exposure to 120 dB (e.g., a Rock concert) is enough to cause hearing damage.
- Exposure to 140 dB (Jet engine) results in immediate damage and intense pain.
Identifying dangerous noise levels
If you’re often exposed to noise levels of 85 dB or more, wearing hearing protection is necessary. This is chiefly true in professional settings like building areas, factories, or any environment where machinery, tools, or gear produce high noise.
Beyond the work setting, instances like recreational shooting sports, using leaf blowers, or going to concerts are examples where you may gain an advantage from using hearing protection due to the hazardous noise exposure.
Choosing protection with the aid of Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR)
The efficacy of hearing protection is assessed by its Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). Expressed in dB, this figure indicates the level of sound blockage the protective unit is capable of blocking. Higher rating values provide superior protection. As an illustration, earplugs rated at 30 dB NRR will lower an 85 dB noise to 55 dB, ensuring you remain safely below the danger boundary.
In choosing protection, you must assess the precise noise levels you are exposed to and verify your chosen device reduces the volume sufficiently to remain under 85 dB.
Comfort is essential for sustained use of protection
Comfort is a factor of equal significance to the NRR, as it directly impacts whether you will wear the protection consistently for the long haul. An uncomfortable or awkward protective gear increases the inclination to remove it, which leaves your ears to dangerous noise.
When the protection is comfortable, it encourages constant use and lessens the threat associated with removing it occasionally. If, for example, earmuffs feel ill-fitting or are too heavy, you are likely to take them off occasionally, resulting in harmful noise exposure.
The main types of hearing protection devices
A variety of hearing protection options are available, all with their own set of benefits 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.
- Being reusable and resting just outside the ear canal, Pre-Molded Earplugs are a more sustainable choice and are also easier to insert and remove than foam earplugs.
- Earmuffs, which cover the entire ear, are well-suited for environments with changing noise levels due to how easy they are to take on and off, but they can be heavy or hot during prolonged use.
Choosing the best type depends on your preferences and the requirements of your environment. An example is construction workers preferring earmuffs for their easy convenience, while factory workers may select earplugs for a full day of wear.
Ensuring continuous use
The most reliably effective hearing protection is the one you’ll wear without fail. Removing the protection for even a few minutes can result in long-term damage to your hearing. A product that successfully combines convenience, protection, and comfort is, therefore, important.
Protect your hearing for the long term
While noise is ever present in our daily lives, using the correct hearing protection allows you to safeguard your ears and continue to appreciate the sounds of the world.
Reach out to us right now to discuss your potential for noise-related hearing loss and how to most effectively protect your hearing health.
