When Should You Wear Hearing Protection

Hearing protection is crucial, especially if you’re often in loud environments. However, even everyday places like homes and workplaces have machines and devices that can harm your hearing over time. But when should you wear hearing protection?

At the Workplace

Working in an industrial setting can be loud. According to audiologists, long-term exposure to noise levels above 85 decibels (dBs) can lead to hearing damage. This risk exists across industries including manufacturing, construction and aviation.

You might think working in an office would protect your hearing, but you would be mistaken. Open office layouts, busy phone lines and the hum of air conditioning all contribute to noise pollution, though usually not to harmful levels. Prolonged exposure can still be distracting and exhausting. Noise-canceling headphones may help block out background conversations when needed for concentration purposes.

During Recreational Activities

The excitement of live music can be followed by a ringing in your ears that can last for days, this is known as tinnitus. Concerts and festivals often exceed safe listening levels of 85 decibels and can even reach 120 decibels near the speakers. To enjoy live music while protecting your hearing, audiologists recommend wearing high-fidelity earplugs, which lower the volume without changing the sound quality.

Along with concerts, stadiums and arenas can be an extremely noisy environment. Although such noise levels are part of the experience, prolonged exposure may have serious effects for your hearing if left exposed for extended periods. Wearing earplugs during games can ensure you can fully immerse yourself without jeopardizing your hearing.

When Using Power Tools

When using power tools, it’s important to wear hearing protection to prevent long-term hearing damage. The loud noises from tools like drills, saws and sanders can easily exceed safe sound levels. Wearing earplugs or earmuffs can help protect your ears and ensure you don’t suffer from hearing loss later in life. When handling power tools it is vitally important that hearing protection be worn. You should look for either earmuffs or earplugs with a high noise reduction rating (NRR) when possible.

In Everyday Loud Environments

While subways, trains and buses might not seem loud at first, prolonged exposure can lead to hearing damage over time. Noise-canceling headphones can help make your commute more peaceful, giving you peace of mind as you travel from place to place.

When it comes to hearing protection, you want to choose the right one for you, depending on the environment or job you have. Your ears are intricate machines designed to handle specific frequencies. Overexposure without adequate protection may result in possible hearing loss. Luckily there’s always an appropriate form of hearing protection available no matter where you find yourself or whether it be work, play or home projects. If you want to learn more about why you should wear hearing protection or if you want to know about which type of hearing protection is right for you schedule an appointment with an audiologist. They will help you find the right solution for your needs.