Exposure to noise for long periods poses a considerable risk to your auditory health, particularly in environments where the sound intensity exceeds safety thresholds. Protecting your ears is essential—not only for warding off hearing loss but also for keeping focus in noisy surroundings. So, how do you find the right level of hearing protection for your requirements?
Understanding noise levels and their impact
The damage caused by noise exposure is a result of both its intensity and the time spent in that environment. The main measurement for understanding noise levels is decibels, a unit used to measure sound loudness. Once noise reaches a level of 85 dB or above, it creates a risk to your hearing, mainly if the exposure is extended.
For context, 85 dB is comparable to the noise level of city traffic heard from inside a car. While this may not seem overly loud, uninterrupted exposure for eight hours can start to damage your hearing. The safe duration for exposure lessens proportionally as the noise level gets higher:
- Damage can result with up to 4 hours of exposure at 90 dB (Lawnmower).
- Exposure to 100 dB (Power tools) must be restricted to a maximum of 60 minutes.
- Only 15 minutes of exposure to 110 dB (like a Leaf blower) is enough to cause harm.
- 120 dB (Rock concert): Any exposure at this level can damage your hearing.
- A sound level of 140 dB (Jet engine) can cause instant pain and damage.
How to detect risky noise settings
You must wear hearing protection when routinely exposed to 85 dB or louder sounds. The requirement for protection is heightened in work settings, including factories and construction, or in any place where machinery, equipment, or tools create significant noise.
Even outside of the workplace, there are situations where hearing protection can be advantageous—attending gigs, using leaf blowers, or engaging in recreational shooting sports are all pastimes that can expose you to dangerous noise levels.
Choosing protection with the aid of Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR
Hearing protection efficacy is rated using the Noise Reduction Rating (the NRR) scale. This rating indicates how much sound the protector can block, expressed in decibels. More substantial protection is signified by a higher NRR number. An illustration is a pair of earplugs with a 30 dB NRR, which could drop an 85 dB sound to 55 dB, thereby maintaining you safely within the parameters of safe exposure.
When finding hearing protection, assess the exact noise levels you’re exposed to and confirm your choice provides enough blockage to stay below the 85 dB boundary.
Comfort matters: the secret to steady protection
Comfort is a factor of similar significance to the NRR, as it strongly influences whether you will wear the protection consistently for the long term. If hearing protection feels uncomfortable or cumbersome, you may be likely to remove it—leaving your ears unprotected to hazardous noise.
Comfortable hearing protection encourages consistent use, minimizing the threat of periodic exposure. If, for example, earmuffs feel ill-fitting or weigh too much, you are inclined to take them off periodically, resulting in dangerous noise exposure.
Different options of hearing protection available
There are a few different forms of hearing protection, and each has its own pros and drawbacks:
- Foam Earplugs: These sit inside the ear canal and offer excellent noise reduction. They’re lightweight and disposable but may feel uncomfortable for some users.
- Pre-Molded Earplugs: These rest just outside the ear canal and are reusable, making them a more sustainable option. They’re easier to insert and remove compared to foam earplugs.
- Enclosing the whole ear, Earmuffs are perfect for settings where noise volume changes, as they can be easily removed and replaced. Their drawbacks include potentially feeling warm or heavy over a long period.
Your selection should be based on your comfort preferences and the requirements imposed by your environment. For example, workers in construction may choose the convenience of earmuffs, while factory staff might select earplugs for full-day wear.
Making sure you wear it without fail
The most effective hearing protection is the one you’ll wear without fail. Interrupting the use, even for a short time, may have long-term consequences for your hearing. For this reason, it is vital to discover a product that provides the right balance of protection, comfort, and convenience.
Taking steps for long-lasting hearing protection
Even though noise is an unavoidable part of life, appropriate hearing protection allows you to safeguard your hearing while still enjoying the sounds around you.
Reach out to us today to talk about your risk of noise-related hearing loss and how to best protect your hearing health.
