Prolonged exposure to sound can take a heavy toll on your hearing health, particularly in environments where sound levels surpass safe thresholds. You must safeguard your ears; this is key for more than preventing hearing loss—it also helps you maintain focus despite noisy conditions. The question then is, how do you figure out the appropriate level of protection needed for your specific needs?
Interpreting noise volume and its results
The consequences of noise exposure aren’t just about intensity but also the period of exposure. We use decibels—a unit that measures sound volume—as the primary metric for understanding noise levels. Once noise reaches a level of 85 dB or above, it poses a risk to your hearing, mainly if the exposure is lengthy.
As a frame of reference, 85 dB is about the same loudness as the sound of city traffic perceived from within a car. Even though this might not sound excessive, eight hours of uninterrupted exposure at this level can initiate damage to your hearing. The louder the sound, the shorter the safe exposure time:
- 90 dB (Lawnmower): Up to 4 hours of exposure can be harmful.
- You should keep exposure to 100 dB (such as Power tools) to one hour or less.
- At 110 dB (Leaf blower), damage can be caused in as little as 15 minutes of exposure.
- Exposure to 120 dB (a Rock concert) will damage your hearing instantly.
- Exposure to 140 dB (Jet engine) results in immediate damage and intense pain.
How to detect risky noise settings
Anyone frequently around noise at 85 dB or higher, hearing protection becomes an essential requirement. The requirement for protection is increased in work settings, including factories and construction, or in any place where machinery, gear, or devices create significant noise.
Hearing protection is also beneficial outside of the job; activities like attending music shows, operating leaf blowers, or participating in shooting sports can subject you to unsafe sound levels.
Choosing protection based on Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR)
The performance of hearing protection is measured by its Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). Expressed in decibels, this figure shows the amount of sound reduction the protective device is able to block. The greater the NRR, the greater the protection against sound. An example is a pair of earplugs with a 30 dB NRR, which could drop an 85 dB sound to 55 dB, thereby maintaining you safely within the parameters of safe exposure.
In selecting protection, you must assess the precise noise levels you encounter and ensure your chosen device reduces the sound sufficiently to remain under 85 dB.
Comfort is crucial for long-term use of protection
Comfort is a factor of equal significance to the NRR, as it strongly affects whether you will wear the protection consistently for the extended period. If the hearing protection is bulky or ill-fitting, you are inclined to remove it, which results in your hearing unprotected against dangerous noise.
Comfortable hearing protection fosters consistent use, lowering the danger of occasional exposure. For instance, if earmuffs are too bulky or cause discomfort, you may find yourself removing them occasionally, exposing your ears to dangerous noise levels.
The main types of hearing protection gear
Different varieties of hearing protection exist, and each one offers unique benefits and cons:
- Offering superior noise reduction, Foam Earplugs are placed inside the ear canal. While they are lightweight and disposable, some wearers may experience discomfort.
- 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.
- 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.
The ideal type of protection to select is dictated by your own preference and the demands of the setting you are in. An illustration is construction workers favoring earmuffs for their easy convenience, while factory workers may select earplugs for a continuous period of wear.
Making sure you wear it all the time
The protection that is used without fail is, by its very design, the best performing kind. Any interruption in use, even for a short period of minutes, can have long-term consequences for your hearing health. For this reason, finding a device that optimizes protection, comfort, and convenience is essential.
Safeguard your hearing for the future
We are always enclosed by noise, yet choosing the right protective equipment guarantees your ears are protected, allowing you to keep enjoying your acoustic environment.
Reach out to us today to talk about your risk of noise-related hearing loss and how to most effectively safeguard your hearing health.