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Hearing is the unique ability to perceive the world around us. It plays an important role in the life of any person, starting from birth. Development and learning, social life, and even movement in space are impossible without healthy hearing. Unfortunately, we take this sense for granted.
According to statistics, Americans are increasingly experiencing hearing problems. There are various causes of hearing loss, but they all lead to the same result. This is a deterioration in the quality of life and the complication in performance of everyday tasks. The situation is complicated by the fact that the modern lifestyle negatively affects the health of the hearing organs. Prolonged noise exposure is especially dangerous. It leads to irreversible changes (death of hair cells). Therefore, many professions, for example, musicians and construction workers, are at risk. Such people often suffer from hearing loss, tinnitus, and problems with pitch perception.
Is your profession exposing you to noise? Do you want to keep your hearing healthy for as long as possible? Use custom hearing protection!
What personal hearing protection equipment is available?
Diseases associated with hearing loss due to industrial noise exposure occupy a leading position in terms of prevalence among all occupational diseases. In everyday life, we can avoid exposure to excessively loud sounds. But for many professions, this is not possible.
Much of the risk and damage to our hearing health from noise exposure is preventable. Listening to movies and music at safe levels, using earplugs or noise-canceling headphones, and limiting exposure to loud noises can all help protect you from hearing loss.
In such a case, you should carefully choose professional protective equipment to obtain effective protection from noise. For such a purpose, it is enough to use anti-noise plugs. There are two main types:
Disposable earplugs
Custom-made earplugs
What are disposable earplugs? They are the most popular and widespread type of noise protection. Americans choose them for their relatively low price and efficiency. The main thing is to correctly insert them into the ears. Research shows that earplugs have a positive effect on hearing health.
Dr. Stella Fulman recommends following these steps to get the most out of noise cancellation and avoid damaging your hearing:
Slowly roll the earplugs into a thin tube with your fingers. You need to twist it slowly so that wrinkles do not form, which, when the earplugs are straightened, will turn into an air channel and will perfectly transmit sound
Pull your ear back and up with one hand. With your other hand, insert the rolled-up plug into your ear. Do it before it starts to expand
When the earmold is inserted, hold it lightly with your finger. Make sure it does not start to come out. It’ll begin to straighten and take the shape of the ear, filling the ear canal and thereby protecting against noise. When you feel that the plug is completely straightened and firmly seated in the ear canal, you can release your fingers
Look in the mirror. If you look directly at your face and see disposable earplugs sticking out, it means they are not inserted correctly. Try repeating the above steps from the beginning
Don’t use disposable earplugs multiple times. Throw them away and put on new ones next time
There are several types of materials from which disposable products are made. Foam earplugs are the most common in the US. They account for over 70% of all earplugs sold.
Disposable earplugs are a good solution for noise protection. However, they are not suitable for everyone. Disposable earplugs are fitted to certain standards. They may not be suitable for you if you have anatomical features of the inner ear or auditory canal. In such a case, look into custom earplugs.
What are custom earplugs?
Custom earplugs are reusable products. They are made from a mold of your ear. They completely repeat the individual structural features of the hearing organs, which allows them to be successfully used despite congenital defects in the shape of the ears, illness, or surgery.
Specialists use modern equipment and materials in their manufacture, achieving amazing results. First, an impression of your ear will be created. Based on the impression of the ear, custom-made earplugs are made from the material you choose.
Silicone products are the most popular. They are comfortable and effectively protect against noise exposure. Moreover, you can use them for 3-5 years. Just clean them every time after use and choose the right storage location so they don’t get physically damaged.
What are the benefits of custom-made earplugs?
Americans are more likely to opt for disposable rather than custom earplugs. Many are put off by the higher price. Some mistakenly assume that they save money by purchasing disposable earplugs. In fact, custom products are long-term savings. Firstly, they have a good service life, which reaches up to 5 years with proper care. Second, you can reuse the impressions to produce new custom-made earplugs. Thus, reusable products save you money on long-term use of hearing protection.
But that is not all. Specialists make custom earplugs individually, so the user receives additional benefits:
Maximum effective noise protection
Exceptional comfort
The hearing organs are a fragile system that can be easily damaged. The singing of birds, the sound of rain, and the voice of a loved one make our life joyful and fulfilling. Therefore, every American should take all necessary steps to keep their hearing healthy. Are you exposed to noise? Then be sure to use protective equipment! Choose the most effective and comfortable products. Audiology Island recommends using custom earplugs!
About Dr Stella Fulman
Dr. Stella Fulman, AU.D., CCC-A received her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Audiology from Brooklyn College in 2004 and her Doctorate of Audiology from Salus University in 2008. [ Learn More ]