Protect Your Ears from Permanent Damage
One of the most common causes of hearing loss is loud noise. You can do permanent damage to your hearing, whether from a one-time extreme noise event or consistent exposure to loud noise.
Statistics show that:
Over one billion people globally are at high risk of developing noise-induced hearing loss, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and teens and young adults aged 12-35 are increasingly vulnerable to developing permanent hearing loss as a result of noise exposure from personal audio devices and social settings
30 million people in the US are exposed to noise levels in the workplace that are high enough to cause irreversible hearing loss (the Hearing Health Foundation)
An estimated 24% of hearing loss in the US is attributed to workplace exposure to loud noise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Fortunately, this type of noise-induced hearing loss is preventable through the use of hearing protection. Though generic earmolds and earplugs can help, investing in custom ear protection, available at Nelson Audiology, Inc., provides maximum protection against loud noise, greater wearing security, and a more comfortable fit for a broad range of activities.
Understanding Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)
NIHL is a type of permanent hearing loss caused by a single extreme noise event, like an explosion, or long-term exposure to noises of heavy machinery or loud music.
“How does loud noise damage my hearing?”
Hairlike sensory cells located in the inner ear convert incoming soundwaves into electrical signals that are transmitted to the brain through the auditory nerve, where our brain converts them into meaningful sounds. Loud noise causes these hair cells to lose their sensitivity, reducing their ability to transmit sound. Eventually these cells can become too damaged to function at all.
Damage to your hearing can occur depending on the length of time you’re exposed to various noises above 85 decibels (dB). Consequently, ongoing exposure to many common household, work, recreational, and social activity noises without protection can do permanent damage.
Common dangerous noise levels include:
90 db
Lawnmower
95 db
Electric Drill
100 db
Night Club, Train, Snowmobile
110 db
Power Saw, Jackhammer, Motorcycle
120 db
Ambulance, Chainsaw, Rock Concert
130 db
Stock Car Race, Jet Engine
140 db
Airplane Takeoff
145 db
Fireworks
150 db
Shotgun Blast
Benefits of Custom Earmolds and Earplugs
Custom earmolds and earplugs are your best solution for protecting your ears from NIHL for a variety of reasons, including:
More secure fit when you’re active
More secure fit when you’re active
More accurate frequency response to a full range of sounds
Prevention of reverberation inside your ears by allowing sound to pass both ways
Precision-engineered filters for specific, measurable protection and more natural sound
Greater wearing comfort for extended wear
Less skin irritation, due to medical-grade silicone construction
Replaceable sound filters that allow you to change sound protection for different activities
Unique fitting for each ear.
Custom Hearing Protection from Nelson Audiology, Inc.
Hearing protection is especially important for anyone who is regularly exposed to higher levels of noise, including:
Work Environment
Work Environment: Musicians, construction workers, factory workers, and pilots
Recreational Activities and Social Events
Recreational Activities and Social Events: Target shooting, going to concerts and clubs, attending games in a sports arena, etc.
Loud Machinery and Equipment at Home
Loud Machinery and Equipment at Home: Lawnmowers, motorcycles, power tools, etc.
Wearing hearing protection can effectively reduce the amount and impact of loud noise you absorb. Options for protective wear we offer include:
Custom Earmolds
These are made to fit the contour of your ear and come in a few types, sizes, and colors. There are full-shell and half-shell custom earmolds that can be soft or solid. Full-shell earmolds are typically recommended for people who are exposed to higher levels of noise, while half-shell earmolds are for lower levels of noise exposure.
Custom Earplugs
Earplugs are designed to be worn in the ear canal. They are custom made by taking molds of your ear canal, which guarantee a perfect fit. Earplugs can also be specialized for musicians and others who still want to be able to hear their environment while protecting their ears.
Swim and Surf Earplugs
Though swimming and surfing don’t cause NIHL, without protection for your ears they can lead to swimmer’s ear (caused from water being stuck in the ear canal, leading to bacterial infection) or surfer’s ear (bone growth that occurs in the ear canal due to frequent exposure to cold water). Either of these conditions can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss.
