Your hearing health can be seriously affected by long-term noise exposure, especially in settings where noise intensity surpasses safe limits. It is critical to shield your ears, not just to prevent hearing damage, but also to help you focus in loud surroundings. The question then is, how do you determine the best level of protection needed for your specific requirements?
Gaining insight into sound volume and its consequences
The consequences of noise exposure aren’t just about intensity but also the period of exposure. dB’s are the essential measurement tool for noise, indicating the volume of sound. Sounds at 85 dB and up may lead to hearing impairment, particularly when exposure is continuous.
For context, 85 dB is comparable to the noise level of city traffic heard from inside a car. An eight-hour period of non-stop exposure can lead to harm your hearing, even if the sound level doesn’t strike you as too loud. As the sound gets louder, the period of time you can be exposed securely decreases:
- Exposure to 90 dB (the sound of a Lawnmower) for more than 4 hours may be damaging.
- 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.
- Even momentary exposure to 120 dB (e.g., a Rock concert) is enough to cause hearing damage.
- 140 dB (Jet engine): Immediate damage and pain can occur.
Pinpointing noise levels that pose a hazard
When you are frequently around noise at 85 dB or higher, hearing protection becomes an absolute requirement. This is primarily true in professional settings like building areas, manufacturing plants, or any location where equipment, devices, or gear produce high noise.
Hearing protection is also helpful outside of the job; activities like attending music shows, operating leaf blowers, or participating in shooting sports can subject you to hazardous sound levels.
How the Noise Reduction Rating guides your selection
Hearing protection efficacy is measured using the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) scale. This rating signifies how much sound the unit can attenuate, expressed in decibels. The greater the NRR, the better the protection against noise. As an example, earplugs rated at 30 dB NRR will decrease an 85 dB noise to 55 dB, ensuring you remain securely below the danger limit.
When making your choice, consider the specific noise intensity you are facing and confirm that the protection reduces the sound below the 85 dB limit.
Why comfort is necessary for wearing hearing protection consistently
Comfort is a factor of similar importance to the NRR, as it strongly impacts whether you will use the protection consistently for the extended period. If hearing protection feels discomforting or bulky, you may be likely to remove it—leaving your ears unprotected to harmful noise.
Choosing comfortable hearing protection ensures continuous wear, thus reducing the risk that you will be exposed to noise occasionally. For illustration, if earmuffs are too heavy or cause discomfort, you may be inclined to remove them periodically, subjecting your ears to dangerous noise levels.
The main types of hearing protection equipment
Hearing protection comes in several forms, each with its pros and cons:
- Offering superior noise reduction, Foam Earplugs are placed inside the ear canal. While they are lightweight and disposable, some wearers may experience discomfort.
- Being reusable and resting just outside the ear canal, Pre-Molded Earplugs are a more sustainable choice and are also easier to insert and remove than foam earplugs.
- 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 right type is based on your comfort and the needs of your setting. For example, workers in construction may choose the ease of use of earmuffs, while factory staff might select earplugs for full-day wear.
Maintaining uninterrupted use of protection
The protection that is worn without fail is, by definition, the most effective kind. Interrupting the use, even for a brief time, may have long-term consequences for your hearing. An option that successfully merges convenience, protection, and comfort is, as a result, paramount.
Taking steps for long-lasting hearing protection
Noise is a constant factor in our lives, but with the correct hearing protection, you can safeguard your ears while still managing to enjoy the sounds around you.
Get in touch with us today to assess your risk of noise-induced hearing loss and find out how to optimally preserve your hearing health.