Hearing Protection

From working on a construction site to playing music in a band, there is a wide variety of activities that produce loud noises that could potentially damage someone’s hearing. If you find yourself frequently experiencing sounds at a high volume, whether at work or leisure, you may find that it’s time to invest in high quality hearing protection that will not only make your life more pleasant now but will also protect your hearing from future complications.

 

According to the World Health Organization, you can safely listen to a decibel volume of 85 for eight hours without damaging your hearing. For comparison, normal conversation averages 60 decibels, a garbage disposal runs at 80 and a lawn mower registers around 90. On the high end, live music often hits around 110 decibels, power tools often top 100 and a shotgun hits 160.

 

At North Coast Audiology, we offer many different types of hearing protection to safeguard your ears for years to come.

 

In Ear Monitors for Musicians

 

Custom in ear monitors provide ear protection for musicians who need to block the excess noise of the venue while still being able to hear the music. Not only do in ear monitors protect the performer’s hearing from the high decibel level associated with being on stage, but they also make it easier for them to stay on key by focusing on just the sounds that they need to hear.

 

Ear Protection for Other Jobs

 

For other professions who deal with loud noises on a regular basis, like police officers, pilots and construction workers, molded ear plugs can offer much needed hearing protection. For example, the noise level of a building site often reaches 105 decibels, which can cause hearing damage in as little as four minutes. Ear plugs can reduce that noise level to a more appropriate volume.

 

Hearing Protection for Hobbyists

 

Ear plugs are also beneficial for hunters, motorcyclists and wood workers, among other hobbies that involve ear-piercing sounds. Ear plugs reduce the odds of future hearing loss by limiting the level of sound that makes its way into the eardrum.

 

Swimming Ear Plugs for Water Lovers

 

While loud noises may be the top reason that people seek ear protection, swimmers may also look for swimming ear plugs to keep the water out of their ears. People who spend a lot of time in the water may be at risk of developing Swimmer’s Ear, also known as Otitis Externa. This painful condition is caused by bacteria entering the ear canal via water and leads to an inflamed ear that is sensitive to the touch. While the condition can be cured by a trip to the doctor and some prescribed medication, isn’t it better to simply avoid it in the first place by using molded ear plugs?

 

Ear Plugs For Light Sleepers

 

People who are sensitive to any noise while sleeping should consider molded ear plugs to avoid being woken up in the middle of the night by random sounds. Ear plugs are also beneficial for people who travel frequently and need to catch a few winks on a crowded flight. After all, the importance of quality sleep is something that should never be overlooked.

 

Regardless of your reason for seeking ear protection, North Coast Audiology has the expertise to match you with the ideal form of hearing protection for your needs. Please contact us with any questions.