Prolonged exposure to loud noise can take a serious toll on your hearing health, particularly in environments where sound levels surpass safe thresholds. It is imperative to shield your ears, not just to avoid hearing damage, but also to help you concentrate in loud surroundings. What is the most effective way to determine the amount of hearing protection that is optimal for you?
Understanding noise levels and their effects
The harm caused by noise exposure is a function of both its volume and the duration spent in that environment. dB’s are the fundamental measurement metric for noise, indicating the volume of sound. Once noise gets to a level of 85 dB or above, it carries a risk to your hearing, mainly if the exposure is prolonged.
As a frame of context, 85 dB is roughly the same loudness as the sound of city traffic heard from within a car. An eight-hour period of non-stop exposure can start to harm your hearing, even if the sound level doesn’t seem excessively loud. The safe duration for exposure lessens proportionally as the noise level gets higher:
- 90 dB (Lawnmower): Up to 4 hours of exposure can be harmful.
- Restrict your exposure to 100 dB (Power tools) to less than 1 hour.
- Damage is possible after only 15 minutes at the 110 dB level (Leaf blower).
- Your hearing can be harmed by any exposure to a 120 dB sound (Rock concert).
- A sound level of 140 dB (Jet engine) can cause instant pain and damage.
Recognizing hazardous sound volumes
You must wear hearing protection when frequently exposed to 85 dB or louder sounds. Such protection is chiefly critical in industrial settings, including plants and building areas, or any places where excessive noise is produced by tools, gear, or machinery.
Hearing protection is also beneficial outside of the workplace; pursuits like attending music concerts, operating leaf blowers, or participating in shooting sports can subject you to unsafe sound levels.
Choosing protection based on Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR)
Hearing protection performance is measured using the Noise Reduction Rating (the NRR) scale. Stated in decibels, this figure shows the level of sound reduction the protective device is able to block. A greater reduction in sound is ensured by increased NRR ratings. To give a concrete example, a 30 dB NRR on earplugs would drop an 85 dB noise down to 55 dB, which is a sound level well under the dangerous limit.
When selecting hearing protection, evaluate the particular noise levels you’re exposed to and confirm your choice provides enough reduction to stay below the 85 dB boundary.
Why comfort is essential for wearing hearing protection consistently
Although the NRR is crucial, comfort is just as important for securing that the protection will be worn consistently over time. When the hearing protection is cumbersome or ill-fitting, you are inclined to remove it, which leaves your hearing unprotected against harmful noise.
When the protection is easy to wear, it encourages continuous use and minimizes the danger associated with removing it occasionally. Consider if, for example, your earmuffs are too cumbersome or ill-fitting, you could remove them from time to time, leaving your ears exposed to hazardous noise.
Different types of hearing protection to choose from
A selection of hearing protection options are available, all with their own set of benefits and drawbacks:
- Offering superior noise reduction, Foam Earplugs are placed inside the ear canal. While they are lightweight and disposable, some wearers may experience discomfort.
- Resting right outside the ear canal, Pre-Molded Earplugs are reusable and thus a more eco-friendly choice. They are simpler to take out and put in than their foam counterparts.
- Earmuffs, which cover the entire ear, are well-suited for environments with changing noise levels due to how easy they are to take on and off, but they can be heavy or hot during prolonged use.
Choosing the correct type is based on your comfort and the demands of your environment. Construction workers, for example, might favor the ease of use provided by earmuffs, whereas factory staff may choose earplugs for all-day wear.
Maintaining constant use of protection
The superior hearing protection is always the device that you continuously keep in place. Removing the protection for even a few minutes can lead to permanent harm to your hearing. It is absolutely important to find a solution that strikes a balance between comfort, protection, and convenience for this reason.
Safeguard your hearing for the future
We are constantly surrounded by noise, yet choosing the correct protective gear guarantees your ears are safeguarded, enabling you to continue enjoying your acoustic environment.
To review the best methods for protecting your hearing health and assessing your potential for noise-related hearing damage, please contact us today.