Living in a world filled with constant noise poses risks to our hearing health, as seemingly mild sounds can unexpectedly reach harmful levels. Environmental noise, if not accounted for, can be detrimental to your overall hearing health. At Evear Hearing Clinic, we understand the importance of protection in such a noisy environment. We provide the necessary resources to ensure you have the right option for your specific needs, protecting your hearing from potential damage caused by everyday noise.
Protection Types
Any employment with CCOHS oversight will have mandatory safety checks in place. Heavy machinery can go as high as 120dBs. For reference, prolonged exposure to anything over 85dBs is extremely dangerous to hearing health. Earmuffs or earplugs can quieten this sound without completely taking away important audio cues during working hours. Earplugs, earmoulds and earmuffs are all notable protection types.
Custom Earmoulds and Earplugs
Custom-made earmoulds and earplugs offer an advantage to wearers that is missing from generic choices. The fit is perfect, and it isolates sounds for a much more efficient NRR. Thanks to the custom fit, earmoulds and earplugs can reach noise suppression levels that are impossible with generic types. Every individual will have a specific fit, and sometimes that fit will be different for each ear. Every decibel reduction helps prevent temporary or permanent hearing loss. To get the most performance out of your hearing protection, a custom fit is recommended for the best result.
Real World Use
Most gun owners have had a situation where a firearm went off when they were not wearing hearing protection. The loud pop of gunfire is a quick reminder that guns are capable of producing 140dBs of sound – which can cause a lot of damage in a small amount of time.
Positions in security take it a step further with custom earmoulds. This doubles as communication and protection all in one. Despite how unwieldly these devices are visually, they are custom-fit with comfort in mind. There are very few instances where hearing protection is uncomfortable for the wearer. Earmoulds and earplugs come with advanced features to account for excess moisture, sweat or wind.
Can Hearing Aids Replace Hearing Protection?
Hearing protection and hearing aids serve two completely different functions. They are not the same, so one can’t replace the other. A common misconception about hearing aids is that they offer complete protection against outside noise. This varies by model, as some manufacturers have included hearing protection features into their device. But the core function of a hearing aid will always be to enhance hearing rather than suppress environmental noise. It’s recommended to use hearing equipment of all types based on current needs, noise levels and activities.