What Hobbies Require Hearing Protection?

We all know that professionals require hearing protection: musicians, airport baggage handlers, construction workers and so on. But we tend to think less about the everyday hobbies that require sound mitigation. 

In this post, we take a quick look at some of the hobbies that require hearing protection and how you can use earmuffs and earplugs to prevent hearing loss. 

DIY

Big DIY fans should consider wearing hearing protection. While some tasks – like painting a wall – are quiet, others can be very loud indeed. 

DIY, for instance, gets noisy whenever you start using machine tools. Circular saws or chain saws, for instance, can generate more than 110 dB. Carpentry can also get loud if you are lathing, boring or cutting through materials.

For this reason, most DIYers use some form of hearing protection. Earmuffs are probably the most practical. However, if you don’t mind regularly inserting earplugs into your ears, these can work well too. 

Motor Racing

Regular cars do an excellent job of preventing exterior sounds from entering the cabin. That’s because manufacturers insulate the floors, walls, ceiling and engine compartment to keep noise levels well below 85 dB. 

However, in motor racing, it’s a different story. Firstly, cars go faster which means more noise from air resistance and engine revving. And, secondly, most race-worthy cars have their sound insulation stripped out to save on weight, increasing the noise level even more. 

Earplugs are the most practical option for motor racing. Lateral G-forces can cause earmuffs to fall off the head. 

Gigs And Concerts

Listening to gigs and concerts at full volume might be a lot of fun, but it certainly is not something your audiologist would recommend. Many performances exceed the safe 85 dB threshold, with some rock bands going as high as 120 dB, potentially putting your hearing at risk. 

Earplugs are usually able to take the volume down by between 15 and 25 decibels, depending, give or take. So, wearing them for most concerts should reduce the noise level to safe levels. Alternatively, try moving further away from the sounds’ source (usually large speakers on either side of the stage). Again, this will reduce the volume of noise reaching your ears. 

Clay Shooting

Clay shooting is a popular sport. But it’s also a loud one, thanks to the noise made by rifles. Some firearms can generate sounds that briefly exceed 140 dB – a level that can cause hearing loss almost instantly. Some big bore rifles may even generate sounds as loud as 175 dB – louder than a jet aircraft. 

When clay shooting, be sure to use specialist hearing protection equipment that’s up to the task. Sometimes, you’ll need to seek out specialists who can provide you with products offering the level of protection you need. 

Clubbing

Finally, if you’re the type of person who likes to go clubbing regularly, you’ll want to wear hearing protection. DJs will often play music well in excess of 100 dB, making hearing protection a must. So, which of these hobbies do you have? After reading this, will you be investing in hearing protection?