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When Do I Need Hearing Protection?

When Do I Need Hearing Protection?

If you’re wondering when you should don earplugs or earmuffs to shield yourself from loud noises, the short answer is whenever sounds may be dangerously loud. The rule of thumb is that if you are at a normal speaking distance – 3 to 4 feet away – and you have to raise your voice to be heard, it’s probably loud enough for personal hearing protection

We often wrongly say that “the noise is too loud,” but what you may consider being ‘noise’ may be music to my ears. In other words, it doesn’t matter what the characteristic of the sound is – machinery, loud music, a P.A. system – it’s the loudness that can cause hearing damage, whether you like the sound/ noise or not. The louder the sound is, the shorter time we can be exposed to it before the potential for hearing damage occurs.

Hearing Protection Devices

Standard personal Hearing Protection Devices (HPDs) are readily available at any hardware store. In addition, custom-molded HPDs are available through our offices at Advanced Specialty Care. Our audiologists can make personal, very comfortable hearing protection in a variety of styles, for different applications: power tools, musician’s earplugs, shooting firearms, etc.

All HPDs come with a rating called the NRR: the Noise Reduction Ratio. The higher the NRR, the more protection the device offers. Musician’s splugs will use a variety of filters for different types of music, the level it’s played at, and the instruments that are being played.

Be Careful of Earphones or Earbuds

Please note, music played through earphones or earbuds when used with power equipment is NOT protection. In fact, it is more dangerous. When someone is listening to their music while mowing the lawn, blowing leaves, etc., the music is louder than the noise source and can be even more damaging! As stated before, even if the music is more pleasant to listen to than the equipment, it is the loudness of the music that can cause harm to our hearing.

Noise exposure is the one preventable cause of hearing loss. We cannot change aging, genetics or the effects of some medications. We also cannot always prevent accidents or injuries. But we CAN help ourselves to reduce the effect of noise exposure by being smart. Use quieter equipment. Keep at a distance from loud noise sources you can’t control. Use personal Hearing Protection Devices whenever exposed to excessive levels of sound. (And, please, keep children away from these sounds as well!)

At Advanced Specialty Care, our audiologists will work with you, through diagnostic testing and conversations, to determine what your hearing abilities are. Our goal is to find the best solutions to make your hearing and communication the best it can be. If you’re having hearing issues, take the first step and schedule a hearing exam. Call (203) 830-4700. Our audiology and hearing aid offices are located in Fairfield County, CT in Danbury, New Milford, Norwalk, and Ridgefield.


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Multi-Specialty Private Practice with six locations in Fairfield County, CT