Do You Need Hearing Protection

Protecting your ears is so important to maintain your hearing health. Being exposed to noises that are too loud (or go on for too long) can cause issues like tinnitus or even permanent hearing loss. And sounds don’t need to be as loud as you’d think to cause damage; in fact, noise above 70dBs over a prolonged period of time may start to damage your hearing. This is only as loud as a typical household washing machine or dishwasher. Noise above 120dBs can cause immediate harm to your ears – this is as loud as a motorcycle or bulldozer.

We all know that standing near a jet engine at 170dBs would cause harm to our ears, but most of us typically don’t spend our days hanging around airfields. Motorbikes, on the other hand, or sounds that are just as loud as them are something that lots of us are likely to hear on a daily basis, so it’s important to be aware. Ear protection can help to reduce the impact that sound has on our auditory system and can therefore prevent damage – but when exactly do you need to wear it? Here are some examples.

You Work in a Noisy Environment

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has strict rules regarding when ear protection needs to be used in the workplace. If an employee is exposed for one hour or more at 105dBs, hearing protection must be provided. The same applies if an employee is exposed for 30 minutes to sounds above 110dBs. In workplaces where employees spend eight hours with sounds above 85dBs, hearing protectors should be made available at no extra cost to the worker and replaced as necessary.

You Visit Loud Music Venues

Many people visit nightclubs, festivals, concerts and other entertainment venues because they love to hear music played loud. However, it’s important to consider your long-term hearing health, particularly if you visit these places often. At the very least, stay back and away from the biggest speakers and give yourself regular breaks from the noise to allow the tiny hairs in your auditory system to recover. If you visit regularly, consider bringing earplugs, you can get very discrete models which will allow you to have fun without hurting your hearing.

You Have a Hobby That Uses Certain Power Tools

Even if you’re only around loud noises on occasion, such as if you have a hobby that involves being around noisy vehicles or using power tools then invest in ear protection too. It’s crucial that you keep yourself safe by wearing the correct personal protection equipment (PPE) for more dangerous types of hobbies, and that includes protecting your ears. Chances are you wouldn’t think twice about putting on goggles to keep your eyes safe or gloves to protect your skin. So, don’t overlook your hearing health – find the right ear protection based on the task and how much noise it creates.