Prolonged exposure to loud noise can take a serious toll on your hearing health, chiefly in places where sound levels go above safe thresholds. It is vital to shield your ears, not only to avoid hearing damage, but also to help you focus in loud settings. What is the most effective way to choose the level of hearing protection that is right for you?
How noise levels influence your hearing
When evaluating the effect of noise, the duration of exposure is as significant as the sound’s loudness. dB’s are the crucial unit for measuring sound levels and measuring sound intensity. Hearing damage can start when sound intensity reaches 85 dB or more, especially after sustained exposure.
For reference, 85 dB is equivalent to the noise level of city traffic experienced from inside a car. While this may not seem too loud, continuous exposure for eight hours can start to damage your hearing. As the sound increases in volume, the period of time you can be exposed securely decreases:
- Damage can happen with up to 4 hours of exposure at 90 dB (Lawnmower).
- Restrict your exposure to 100 dB (Power tools) to less than 1 hour.
- At 110 dB (Leaf blower), damage can occur in as little as 15 minutes of exposure.
- Exposure to 120 dB (a Rock concert) will damage your hearing instantly.
- 140 dB (Jet engine): Immediate damage and pain can occur.
Identifying risky noise levels
You must wear hearing protection when regularly exposed to 85 dB or louder volumes. The need for protection is greater in work environments, including plants and construction, or in any place where engines, equipment, or devices create excessive noise.
Beyond the work setting, situations like recreational shooting sports, using leaf blowers, or going to shows are examples where you may benefit from using hearing protection due to the hazardous noise exposure.
The role of Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR) in choosing
The Noise Reduction Rating (the NRR) is the primary metric used to assess how well hearing protection performs. Expressed in decibels, this figure shows the degree of sound reduction the protective unit is able to block. Higher NRR values provide greater protection. For instance, earplugs with an NRR of 30 dB can lower an 85 dB noise level to 55 dB, keeping you well within safe exposure bounds.
In choosing protection, you must evaluate the specific noise levels you are exposed to and confirm your chosen device reduces the sound sufficiently to remain under 85 dB.
Comfort is required for continuous use of protection
Comfort is a factor of equal significance to the NRR, as it strongly influences whether you will use the protection consistently for the long term. If hearing protection feels discomforting or awkward, you may be inclined to remove it—leaving your ears unprotected to hazardous noise.
The more comfortable the device, the higher the chance you are to use it consistently, which significantly reduces the risk of intermittent exposure. Imagine if, for example, your earmuffs are too heavy or ill-fitting, you could remove them from time to time, leaving your ears vulnerable to hazardous noise.
Different choices of hearing protection to choose from
A selection of hearing protection options are on offer, all with their own set of pros and cons:
- Inserted into the ear canal, Foam Earplugs provide superb noise reduction. They are disposable and light, yet some individuals may find them uncomfortable.
- 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 enclose the ear completely; they are best for varying noise environments because of their ease of removal and donning. A common disadvantage is that they can feel warm or heavy with continuous wear.
Choosing the correct type is based on your preferences and the demands of your surroundings. For example, workers in construction may favor the convenience of earmuffs, while factory employees might opt for earplugs for all-day wear.
The necessity of continuous protection
The protection that is used without fail is, by nature, the most effective kind. Taking off the protection for even a short time of minutes can result in permanent harm to your hearing. For this purpose, finding a device that balances protection, comfort, and convenience is essential.
Safeguard your hearing for the time ahead
Noise is an unavoidable part in our lives, but with the appropriate hearing protection, you can safeguard your ears while still managing to enjoy the sounds around you.
Connect with us today to assess your risk of noise-induced hearing loss and learn how to best preserve your hearing health.