Custom Hearing Protection

What we know about and what we can do to prevent hearing loss.

Custom Hearing Protection

What we know and what we can do to prevent hearing loss.

Types of Custom Protection

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Earplugs

Earplugs are inserted in the ear canals. They must be fitted sufficiently deep to completely block off our ear canals and to be self- supporting. There are three main types of earplugs: pre-molded earplugs, individually molded earplugs, and adaptable earplugs.

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Earmuffs

Earmuffs completely enclose the ear with a hollow cup. The cup is internally insulated and fitted with sound absorbent foam. A soft-ring shaped cushion provides a firm but comfortable seal around our ears. Earmuffs use a spring tensioned headband to hold the cups in place over our ears at a certain clamp force to provide the desired reduction.

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Musician's Earplugs & Earmolds

Musician’s earplugs come in both custom and non-custom options. Ready-fit musician earplugs can reduce sound levels by approximately 20 dB, enough to reduce harmful sound without distorting speech or music.

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Hunter’s Earplugs & Earmolds

Specifically designed for hunter’s There are both custom and non-custom options available. While being worn, these products allow for clear communication, as well as enhanced ambient awareness. When a gunshot is fired, the device instantly suppresses the loud noise to protect your hearing.

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Swimmer’s Earplugs & Earmolds

Swimmer’s earplugs are designed to keep water from entering the ear canal. Water often contains bacteria, which can lead to an ear infection called swimmer’s ear. These earplugs are waterproof and buoyant; if they fall out of the ear while swimming they can be easily retrieved.

Tips to Preserve Your Hearing

Did you know that even though you have lost some of your hearing and may be wearing hearing aids its not too late to take steps to preserve the hearing you have left?

The good news is, even if you already have a little hearing loss, it’s never too late to preserve your hearing for the years ahead. Here are a few ways you can limit the damage caused by exposure to loud sounds and preserve good hearing:

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Learn about proper hearing protection. There are many kinds on the market today, ranging from custom ear molds to foam plugs and more.

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If you can’t eliminate a noise, then get try to some distance between you and the noise. If that’s not possible, stand at an angle from the noise, not directly in front of it.

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Take frequent breaks when you are exposed to noise. Give your ears time to recover after they’ve been exposed to loud noise. You need at least 16 hours of rest for your ears to recover after spending around two hours around a 100dB sound, (for example a concert). Reducing this recovery time increases the risk of permanent deafness.

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When listening to music through headphones or earbuds, keep the volume low-to-medium.

Who should wear hearing Protection?

Exposure to harmful noise can happen at any age. People of all ages, including children, teens, young adults, and older people, can develop NIHL. Based on a 2011-2012 CDC study involving hearing tests and interviews with participants, at least 10 million adults in the U.S. under age 70 and perhaps as many as 40 million adults have features of their hearing test that suggest a hearing loss in one or both ears from exposure to loud noise. Researchers have also estimated that as many as 17% of teens (ages 12 to 19) have features of their hearing test suggestive of NIHL in one or both ears.