Custom Hearing Protection to Safeguard Your Hearing
Our custom hearing protection line is just as personalized as our hearing aid options. We put a large focus on preventing hearing loss because damage to the cochlea in the inner ear is irreversible, and in many cases, preventable.
Causes
The most common cause of noise-induced hearing loss is prolonged exposure to loud sounds. This can come from various sources, including concerts, construction sites, and even everyday noises like lawnmowers, tractors, or power tools.
While a single, extremely loud noise like a gunshot or explosion can cause immediate hearing damage, it’s often the cumulative effect of consistent exposure to moderate noise levels that leads to gradual hearing loss. It’s important to recognize that sounds don’t need to be painful to cause damage.
How Loud is Too Loud?
Generally, sounds above 75 decibels (dB) can be harmful to your hearing after exposure for extended periods. Some examples of these are:
– Power tools: lawnmowers, chainsaws, and drills
– Concerts and clubs: live music events, especially those with amplified instruments
– Construction sites: heavy machinery and construction equipment
– Personal audio devices: listening to music or other audio at high volumes through headphones or earbuds
Who Can Benefit
Custom hearing protection is especially advantageous for certain groups of people:
– concert enthusiasts
– hunters
– hospitality workers (in loud restaurants, bars)
– musicians and marching band members
– air traffic controllers
– wood workers
– machinists
– industrial and construction workers
Frequently Asked Questions about Hearing Protection
What is the best hearing protection for hunting/shooting?
- At the range- earmuffs or solid custom earmolds are typically preferred due to the consistent loud noises at a gun range superior protection and comfort
- Skeet Shooting- electronic custom hearing protection that allows you to hear environmental sounds and conversations while offering automatic protection from gunfire
- In the wild- electronic custom hearing protection with high-frequency amplification allows you to better hear the leaves rustle, and wings flap while keeping your hearing protection in for automatic compression of gunshots
- Dove/duck hunts- similar to skeet shooting, electronic custom hearing protection allows you to hear what’s going on around you, while still protecting your hearing automatically
What is NRR (Noise Reduction Rating)?
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is a number assigned to hearing protection devices that indicates the amount of noise reduction they offer. NRR values range from 0 to 30 with a higher NRR meaning more protection.
What are Musician’s Earplugs or Filtered Earplugs?
Commonly referred to as musician or filtered earplugs, these custom-fit earplugs attenuate across all frequencies rather than just low and mid-range frequencies, making music and environmental sounds much clearer and more natural. These are available with multiple filter options, often including a 10 dB, 17 dB, 26 dB, Impulse (33.1 dB IPIL) or solid filter.
They are essential for musicians, sound engineers, and anyone exposed to loud music or noise for extended periods. By using these earplugs, you can protect your hearing without compromising your ability to appreciate the nuances of sound.