Prevention of Hearing Loss
Even if you’ve already experienced hearing loss, it’s crucial to protect your ears from further damage. Here are some of the best tips for preventing hearing loss.
- Limit your exposure to loud music or noise.
- Wear some form of hearing protection – including earplugs, noise-canceling headphones or earmuffs – if you are going to be near motorized lawn equipment, motorcycles, fireworks, power tools or firearms.
- Listen to your TV, car stereo, MP3 player, tablet and smartphone at lower volumes.
- Regularly let your ears rest for at least five minutes in a quiet place during a loud concert or sporting event.
- Don’t use cotton swabs to clean wax out of your ear canal. This may damage your eardrum.
- Keep your ears dry to avoid ear infections that may damage your hearing. Consider using custom earplugs while swimming to avoid getting water in your ears.
- Exercises such as walking, running and cycling benefit all parts of your body, including your ears.
- Find ways to manage your stress so you can alleviate the effects of tinnitus.
- Avoid medications with side effects that may affect your hearing.
The two main forms of hearing protection commercially available are earplugs and earmuffs. Earplugs will work well for you if you have a noisy workplace – such as an airport, factory, foundry or construction site. There are mass-produced and individually-fitted models available. Earplugs are also available in reusable or disposable styles. They are typically less expensive than earmuffs and less susceptible to heat or moisture.
If you are hypersensitive to noise, or simply find it difficult to concentrate without complete quiet, then noise-canceling earmuffs may work best for you. Noise-canceling earmuffs are popular among individuals with autism, ADHD, hyperacusis and misophonia. They are bulkier and more expensive than earplugs, but most models are still inexpensive.
What Is the Best Hearing Protection for Me?
If you are uncertain how to wear your ear protection device at work, ask us. Your employer will also have detailed information about the proper fit of the device to help you avoid noise leaks in your specific work environment. With earplugs, you can check the fit by gently pulling on them. The plugs should stay in the ears and not move easily. If they do move, remove them and re-insert them deeper in the ear canals.
Whether you wear earplugs for work, at home or during recreational activities, you must take proper care when removing them. You should always twist the earplug gently to break the acoustic seal before removing. This is particularly important when wearing custom-fitted earplugs.
The Best Ear Protection For Musicians
There’s nothing like going to a concert to really live the music, except perhaps being on stage. But standing next to speakers and hearing the crowd roar can take its toll on your hearing. Ask us about hearing protection for musicians that lets you play in the zone without missing a beat, including Musician Plugs ER-9, 15, 25, and In-Ear Musician’s Monitors.
We’re also excited to now offer Ultimate Ears custom in-ear monitors, designed for ultimate sound clarity and comfort. Whether you’re performing or just enjoying the music, these custom-fit monitors will ensure you hear every note while protecting your hearing.
Shooting Ear Protection
Gunshots average 140-190 decibels, and since hearing loss can occur at 85 decibels it’s crucial to wear hearing protection when hunting or practicing at a shooting range. While some guns are louder than others, you should always have adequate hearing protection such as shooting earmuffs or earplugs designed for shooting when you anticipate using your gun. This is especially true for first responders who are also often exposed to loud sirens as part of their job. We can help you find the best hearing protection for your firearms.
Ear Protection for All Day Use
Earplugs are a good option to carry around in case you need them on the fly, but if you need hearing protection all day or for extended periods of time, custom ear molds are far more comfortable. At Professional Audiology Clinic, we create earplugs and ear molds custom made to fit your ear. We can even provide custom ear molds for your smartphones, TVs and other devices.
