Prolonged exposure to sound can take a significant toll on your hearing health, chiefly in places where sound levels go above safe thresholds. It is essential to shield your ears, not just to avoid hearing damage, but also to help you maintain concentration in loud environments. So, how do you choose the optimal level of hearing protection for your needs?
Interpreting noise volume and its ramifications
The impacts of noise exposure aren’t just about intensity but also the duration of exposure. The key measurement for assessing noise levels is dB, a unit used to quantify sound intensity. Sounds at 85 dB and beyond can result in hearing impairment, primarily when exposure is continuous.
To provide a reference, 85 dB is similar to the sound of urban traffic when experienced from inside a vehicle. Though this volume might not seem excessive, spending eight hours in it continuously can lead to hearing impairment. As the sound increases in volume, the amount 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.
- 110 dB (Leaf blower): Just 15 minutes of exposure can cause damage.
- 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.
Pinpointing noise levels that are dangerous
It is vital to use hearing protection if your routine exposure is to noise levels of 85 dB. Such protection is especially important in industrial settings, including factories and construction sites, or other places where high noise is produced by devices, gear, or machinery.
Even outside of work, there are circumstances 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 unsafe noise levels.
Selecting hearing protection: Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR)
Hearing protection performance is measured using the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) scale. The rating shows the level of sound blockage, given in decibels, that the protector provides. Higher NRR values offer better protection. To give a practical example, a 30 dB NRR on earplugs would lower an 85 dB noise down to 55 dB, which is a sound level well under the dangerous limit.
When making your decision, take into account the particular noise volume you are facing and verify that the protection reduces the sound below the 85 dB limit.
The critical role of comfort in continuous protection
The NRR is certainly important, but comfort is a similarly significant component in achieving consistent, sustained use. If hearing protection feels uncomfortable or cumbersome, you may be likely to remove it—leaving your ears unprotected to hazardous noise.
Choosing comfortable hearing protection results in consistent wear, thus decreasing the risk that you will be exposed to noise occasionally. To demonstrate, bulky or uncomfortable earmuffs may be removed by the wearer now and then, exposing their ears to harmful sound levels.
Different choices of hearing protection available
Different types of hearing protection are available, and each one offers unique 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.
- Pre-Molded Earplugs are positioned slightly outside the ear canal; they are reusable—a more sustainable choice—and are also easier to handle than foam earplugs.
- Earmuffs: Earmuffs cover the entire ear and are ideal for environments with fluctuating noise levels, as they’re easy to put on and take off. However, they may feel heavy or warm during extended use.
The optimal type of protection to choose is determined by your own preference and the requirements of the setting you are in. For illustration, workers in construction may choose the ease of use of earmuffs, while factory employees might choose earplugs for full-day wear.
The necessity of uninterrupted protection
The most effective hearing protection is the one you’ll wear continuously. Taking off the protection for even a short time of minutes can lead to long-term harm to your hearing. For this purpose, finding a solution that balances protection, comfort, and convenience is crucial.
Taking steps for lasting hearing protection
While noise is always present in our daily lives, using the proper hearing protection allows you to safeguard your ears and still enjoy the sounds of the world.
Reach out to us today to review your risk of noise-related hearing loss and how to most effectively protect your hearing health.