3 Tips to Choose Hearing Protection

Whether you work with loud machinery or will be exposed to extreme noise in recreational hobbies, choosing the right form of hearing protection is a key step to help maintain good hearing health. 

From preventing damage in later life to slowing the progression of any hearing loss you already experience, an audiologist will be happy to discuss your situation in detail. Nonetheless, it’s never a bad idea to familiarize yourself with the process of how to find the perfect type of hearing protection. Here are three top tips for guidance.

Know how much hearing protection is required

The marketplace includes a large volume of hearing protection products, including earmuffs and earplugs from a wide range of manufacturers in different shapes, sizes, and styles. Unsurprisingly, the level of hearing protection offered can vary greatly between one device and another. 

Sounds above 70dB can cause hearing loss if you are exposed to them for long enough. In the case of 70dB, eight hours is the limit. For each subsequent 3dB, the amount of time the average person can withstand is halved. So, the big question you need to ask is whether your chosen hearing protection will offer the right level of protection.

Therefore, you should check the Noise Reduction Rating. For example, if you are exposed to 120dB at a gig, wearing ear defenders with an NRR of 40dB will bring the sound exposure down to a safe level of 80dB.

Think about your comfort

Hearing protection devices are not only designed to protect your ears from hearing loss. They should actively enhance the activity too. The added comfort will allow you to stay productive in the workplace or maintain optimal satisfaction in recreational settings. 

The choice between ear defenders, earplugs, or semi-inserts may be a matter of personal preference. The type of activity will have a huge influence too. While swimmers will select earplugs, workers using heavy machinery may find earmuffs to be far better.

When standard off-the-shelf options fail to deliver the desired comfort levels, custom-made hearing protection is available. When supported by optional features like internal speaker systems to facilitate communication with colleagues, finding a suitable solution should be easy.

Consider your budget and frequency of wear

No two individuals like identical lives, but everyone shares the desire to get value for money. At a glance, standard foam earplugs offer the most affordable option. If you only need to wear them at the occasional gig, this can provide the perfect solution. 

An individual that wears ear defenders daily for work purposes may find that custom hearing protection is better. The added durability outweighs the increased price as they do not have to be replaced daily. More importantly, the comfort and performance may add value to the user’s daily life.

There is no single right or wrong option. You will need to consider how much you are prepared to pay and whether the investment is worthwhile for the intended usage. The best way to get clear answers is to speak with your audiologist today.