Working a long time around loud noise can drastically impact your hearing, especially when sound volume exceeds safe limits. Protecting your ears is essential—not only for preventing hearing loss but also for maintaining focus in noisy surroundings. So, how do you identify the appropriate level of hearing protection for your needs?
Understanding noise levels and their consequences
When considering the effect of noise, the duration of exposure is as significant as the sound’s intensity. dB’s are the primary unit for measuring sound levels and quantifying sound volume. Hearing damage can start when sound volume hits 85 dB or more, especially after extended exposure.
As a frame of context, 85 dB is about the same loudness as the sound of city traffic heard from within a car. Though this loudness might not appear excessive, spending eight hours in it continuously can cause hearing impairment. The safe time of exposure becomes brief when the sound is more intense:
- Exposure to 90 dB (the sound of a Lawnmower) for more than 4 hours may be damaging.
- 100 dB (Power tools): Limit exposure to 1 hour or less.
- Damage is possible after only 15 minutes at the 110 dB level (Leaf blower).
- 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.
How to detect hazardous noise situations
If you’re regularly exposed to noise levels of 85 dB or more, wearing hearing protection is crucial. This is particularly true in professional settings like building areas, factories, or any location where equipment, devices, or gear produce high noise.
Beyond the work setting, situations like recreational shooting sports, using leaf blowers, or going to shows are examples where you may gain an advantage from using hearing protection due to the dangerous noise exposure.
Choosing protection based on Noise Reduction Ratings (
We evaluate the effectiveness of hearing protection through its Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). This rating tells you how much sound the device can attenuate, given in dB. The higher the NRR, the greater the protection against noise. To give a concrete example, a 30 dB NRR on earplugs would decrease an 85 dB noise down to 55 dB, which is a sound level far below the dangerous limit.
When choosing hearing protection, evaluate the particular noise levels you’re exposed to and ensure your choice provides enough blockage to stay below the 85 dB threshold.
The important function of comfort in uninterrupted protection
The NRR is certainly important, but comfort is a similarly significant component in achieving consistent, sustained use. An ill-fitting or cumbersome protective device increases the temptation to remove it, which exposes your ears to harmful noise.
Comfortable hearing protection fosters consistent use, minimizing the risk of intermittent exposure. If, for instance, earmuffs feel ill-fitting or weigh too much, you are inclined to take them off intermittently, resulting in dangerous noise exposure.
What are the varieties of hearing protection?
Hearing protection is available in multiple forms, each with its pros and cons:
- Foam Earplugs: These sit inside the ear canal and offer excellent noise reduction. They’re lightweight and disposable but may feel uncomfortable for some users.
- 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: 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.
Choosing the best type depends on your preferences and the requirements of your setting. By way of example, a construction worker might choose earmuffs for their simplicity, while someone working in a factory may opt for earplugs for continuous use.
Committing to unwavering hearing protection wear
To ensure maximum performance, you must choose the hearing protection you will wear continuously. Interrupting the use, even for a brief time, may have long-term consequences for your hearing. Therefore, it is necessary to discover a product that provides the right balance of protection, comfort, and convenience.
Securing your auditory health
We are always surrounded by noise, yet choosing the appropriate protective equipment ensures your ears are protected, enabling you to continue enjoying your acoustic surroundings.
Connect with us now to assess your potential of noise-induced hearing loss and learn how to effectively preserve your hearing health.