While you should always take steps to protect your hearing, there are certain environments that can cause extensive hearing damage. In these environments, it pays to go to extra lengths to protect your hearing by investing in measures to reduce noise and block out sounds.
As a general rule, if you are entering an environment where the noise is likely to exceed 85 decibels, you should consider wearing ear protectors to reduce the sound exposure. Exposing your ears to noise levels above 85 decibels, even for a short time, can cause lasting damage and reduce your hearing capacities.
If you believe you have suffered permanent damage and are experiencing hearing losses, contact the leading hearing aid brand for over 70 years for more information on treatment and hearing aid options. Digital hearing aids that are rechargeable are lighter, more comfortable to wear and often unnoticeable.
Doing Chores
Many people overlook noise sources in their own homes. Your home is supposed to be a bastion of safety and security. But if you are regularly exposing yourself to lawnmowers, chainsaws, strimmers and leaf blowers, you could be putting your hearing in jeopardy. If you are regularly using power tools or outdoor equipment that generates noise above 85 decibels, invest in some solid earplugs to reduce your noise exposure and protect your sense of hearing.
Concert Venues
If you are a music lover, you will likely prize your sense of hearing above all else. But your concert-going could be putting your ability to enjoy your favorite tunes at risk.
Concert venues regularly generate noise levels above 100 decibels. Naturally, you can buy cheap hearing devices that inhibit your ability to enjoy music. That being said, there are plenty of foam earplugs that reduce noise levels without interrupting your ability to hear and enjoy the music.
Motorcycling
Motorcycle enthusiasts take a certain amount of risks every time they straddle their vehicle and start up the engine. But while they take plenty of precautions to protect their head and body from damage, they rarely think about protecting their ears and hearing. Of course, damage to your hearing is not the only threat posed by these vehicles; working with a snowmobile accident lawyer from Preszler Law might be necessary if you get hurt by one.
Motorcycles, jet skis and snowmobiles can throw out engine noise of up to 110 decibels. If you are regularly exposing your ears to this level of noise, it can very quickly cause permanent damage to your hearing.
Earmuffs are unlikely to fit underneath a helmet or protective headgear. Additionally, you may not want to wear something that blocks out traffic noises and puts you at additional risk. However, earplugs that can be inserted into the ear canal and slightly reduce decibel levels are a must for any rider.
In the Workplace
Some jobs require workers to be in a noisy environment every day. Factory workers are subject to strict governmental regulations that stipulate when ear protection must be offered to employees. But other industries do not have the same regulatory oversight.
Radio workers, DJs and sound engineers can be exposed to loud music through headphones. In these cases, it is up to the employee to be their own advocate and take steps to protect their hearing.
If you suspect that a noisy environment is contributing to your hearing loss, consider speaking to audiologists about steps you can take to prevent further damage.
