Working a long time around loud noise can drastically impact your hearing, especially when sound volume goes past safe limits. It is imperative to shield your ears, not only to prevent hearing damage, but also to help you focus in loud environments. The question then is, how do you decide the optimal level of protection necessary for your specific situation?
Interpreting noise volume and its consequences
The harm caused by noise exposure is a combination of both its volume and the time spent in that environment. The main measurement for gauging noise levels is decibels, a unit used to express sound intensity. Sounds at 85 dB and higher could cause hearing harm, primarily when exposure is lengthy.
As a frame of context, 85 dB is roughly the same volume 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 overly loud. The safe time of exposure becomes brief when the sound is more intense:
- Exposure to 90 dB (the sound of a Lawnmower) for more than 4 hours is potentially damaging.
- Keep 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).
- Exposure to 140 dB (Jet engine) results in immediate damage and intense pain.
How to detect unsafe noise settings
When you are routinely around noise at 85 dB or higher, hearing protection becomes a critical requirement. This holds especially true in work settings, such as factories, building areas, or places where machinery, tools, or gear generate significant levels of noise.
Beyond the work setting, situations like recreational shooting sports, using leaf blowers, or going to concerts are cases where you may benefit from using hearing protection due to the unsafe noise exposure.
Choosing protection based on Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR)
Hearing protection efficacy is measured using the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) scale. This rating tells you how much sound the protector can reduce, expressed in dB. More substantial protection is signified by a higher NRR value. An example is a pair of earplugs with a 30 dB NRR, which could lower an 85 dB sound to 55 dB, thereby maintaining you safely within the limits of safe exposure.
In selecting protection, you must gauge the specific noise levels you encounter and confirm your chosen protector reduces the volume sufficiently to remain under 85 dB.
The important function of comfort in uninterrupted protection
Comfort is a factor of equal importance to the NRR, as it strongly affects whether you will use the protection consistently for the long haul. When the hearing protection is cumbersome or ill-fitting, you are inclined to remove it, which results in your hearing vulnerable against harmful noise.
When the protection is easy to wear, it promotes constant use and reduces the risk associated with removing it periodically. Imagine if, for example, your earmuffs are too cumbersome or ill-fitting, you could remove them from time to time, leaving your ears vulnerable to dangerous noise.
Exploring the different forms of ear protection
A range of hearing protection options are on offer, all with their own set of pros 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 enclose the ear completely; they are best for varying noise environments because of their ease of removal and donning. A common disadvantage is that they can feel warm or heavy with continuous wear.
Your choice should be informed by your comfort preferences and the requirements imposed by your setting. Construction workers, for example, might favor the convenience offered by earmuffs, whereas factory employees may choose earplugs for constant wear.
The necessity of continuous protection
To achieve maximum effectiveness, you must select the hearing protection you will wear all the time. Any lapse in use, even for a short period of minutes, can have lasting effects for your hearing health. For this reason, finding a product that balances protection, comfort, and convenience is crucial.
Ensure your lasting hearing health
Noise is a constant presence in our lives, but with the correct hearing protection, you can safeguard your ears while continuing to enjoy the sounds around you.
To discuss the best methods for protecting your hearing health and assessing your potential for noise-related hearing damage, please reach out to us today.
