Exposure to noise for sustained periods poses a serious risk to your auditory health, particularly in settings where the sound intensity surpasses safety thresholds. It is critical to shield your ears, not just to avoid hearing damage, but also to help you concentrate in loud settings. The question then is, how do you decide the optimal level of protection necessary for your specific requirements?
Interpreting noise intensity and its consequences
Noise damage relies not only on the loudness of the sound but also on how much time you are exposed to it. dB’s are the essential measurement unit for noise, quantifying the strength of sound. Once noise reaches a level of 85 dB or above, it carries a threat to your hearing, mainly if the exposure is extended.
To provide a illustration, 85 dB is similar to the sound of urban traffic when experienced from inside a vehicle. Though this loudness might not seem excessive, spending eight hours in it continuously can lead to hearing impairment. The safe duration for exposure lessens proportionally as the noise level increases:
- 90 dB (Lawnmower): Up to 4 hours of exposure can be harmful.
- Exposure to 100 dB (Power tools) must be restricted to a maximum of 60 minutes.
- At 110 dB (Leaf blower), damage can result in as little as 15 minutes of exposure.
- Even momentary exposure to 120 dB (e.g., a Rock concert) is enough to cause hearing damage.
- Immediate pain and damage are possible at 140 dB (Jet engine).
Determining damaging levels of noise
It is paramount to use hearing protection if your routine exposure is to noise levels surpassing 85 dB. This holds most true in work settings, such as factories, construction sites, or locations where equipment, devices, or gear generate high levels of noise.
Beyond the work setting, instances like recreational shooting sports, using leaf blowers, or going to shows are cases where you may gain an advantage from using hearing protection due to the dangerous noise exposure.
Using the NRR to choose the ideal hearing protection
Hearing protection effectiveness is measured using the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) scale. Given in dB, this figure indicates the degree of sound reduction the protective device is capable of blocking. More substantial protection is indicated by a larger NRR value. An instance is a pair of earplugs with a 30 dB NRR, which could drop an 85 dB sound to 55 dB, thereby keeping you securely within the bounds of safe exposure.
When deciding on your protection, you should think about the actual noise intensity you are exposed to and verify the protector offers the required reduction to keep the volume below 85 dB.
Comfort is important: the essential to steady protection
While the NRR is an essential factor, comfort plays a similarly important role in guaranteeing sustained use. You might be inclined to take off the protection if it is uncomfortable or cumbersome, thereby exposing your ears to harmful sound.
The more comfortable the device, the more likely you are to use it continuously, which effectively reduces the threat of occasional exposure. If, for example, earmuffs feel uncomfortable or weigh too much, you are inclined to take them off intermittently, resulting in hazardous noise exposure.
The main forms of hearing protection gear
There are a few different varieties of hearing protection, and each has its own benefits and cons:
- Inside the ear canal, Foam Earplugs provide superb noise reduction. They are disposable and light, yet some individuals may find them uncomfortable.
- 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.
Your selection should be guided by your comfort preferences and the demands imposed by your setting. For instance, workers in construction may choose the ease of use of earmuffs, while factory employees might select earplugs for continuous wear.
Maintaining steady use of protection
The protection that is worn consistently is, by definition, the most effective kind. Removing the protection for even a few minutes can lead to permanent harm to your hearing. For this reason, finding a solution that optimizes protection, comfort, and convenience is vital.
Ensure your lasting hearing health
While noise is ever present in our daily lives, using the proper hearing protection enables you to protect your ears and still enjoy the sounds of the world.
Call us now to talk about your chances of hearing loss from noise and the best ways to safeguard your hearing.