Hearing Protection
Loud noise harms our hearing, and though many of the sounds we hear every day are not loud enough to cause hearing damage, other sounds--such as a gunshot or a firecracker--can be harmful in an instant. Gradual exposure to somewhat quieter but longer-lasting sounds, such as loud music or a leaf blower, can also lead to permanent hearing damage. The key to long-term hearing health, especially if you have a noisy hobby or a work in a loud environment, is being vigilant about protecting your ears and investing in effective hearing protection. Read on to find out more.
Noise-induced hearing loss: the basics
Hearing loss from noise can affect us any age. Data from a recent national health interview and examination survey revealed that almost one in four (24 percent) of U.S. adults, aged 20 to 69 years old, has a noise-induced hearing loss in one or both ears.
Noise-induced hearing loss occurs when the tiny hair cells of the inner ear are damaged by noises that are too loud or heard for too long. When these hair cells are damaged, they can’t effectively send sound signals to the brain. This leads to noise-induced hearing loss in certain frequencies. Though noise-induced hearing loss is typically permanent, it is treatable and largely preventable.
Dangerous decibels
Permanent hearing loss can happen fast. With exposure to sounds with extremely high decibels (dB) hearing damage can occur in just 15 minutes — and this type of hearing loss happens almost immediately with exposure to sounds that come from firearms and certain power tools.
At 90dB of nonstop noise, your hearing is susceptible to permanent damage. The sound of an ambulance siren at 120 decibels is about 1 trillion times more intense than the weakest sound the average person can hear. Sounds that reach 120 decibels are painful to our ears at close distances and are dangerous to our hearing. The average impulse noise of a gunshot generates 140dB of sound.
The louder the sound, the shorter the length of time it takes for potential hearing loss to occur. For example, firecrackers can reach 150 decibels, and will cause hearing damage much more quickly than exposure to a power lawn mower at 90 decibels.
Protect your hearing with SoundGear
SoundGear is a brand-new category in electronic hearing protection that provides both effective noise reduction and digital sound enhancement, in a small, comfortable package. What makes these products especially useful is their ability to reduce unwanted noise while allowing other sounds--such as conversation--to be heard more clearly. These devices are ideal for recreational and professional hunters and shooters, industrial workers, and anyone who frequently spends times in noisy places such as stadiums.
So, the next time you know you’ll be exposed to dangerous decibels, leave the bulky earmuffs at home and try out a smaller, more effective SoundGear device. Here is a brief overview of their innovative products.
Military or Law Enforcement Discount
We appreciate the brave service of our military and law enforcement personnel. As a way of saying thank you, SoundGear offers online discounts to members of the military and law enforcement (past and present) for Instant Fit and Behind-The-Ear products.
Come see us at Comprehensive Ear and Hearing today!
To learn more about how to protect the hearing you have now, request an appointment with a member of our expert team at Comprehensive Ear and Hearing. A hearing evaluation is the best way to assess your current hearing health and find out if you could benefit from hearing aids, hearing protection, or both. We love helping people to find hearing solutions that change their lives for the better. Schedule your appointment today!