How Do You Know if You Need Hearing Protection

Have you found yourself turning up the TV volume until it might bother your neighbors? Or have you recently left an event with ears ringing louder than a school bell? It might be time to consider hearing protection.

Frequent Exposure to Loud Music

Frequent exposure to loud music, whether at concerts or through headphones, can put your hearing at risk. If you often listen to music at high volumes, you might start noticing signs that your ears are being affected. One common sign is a ringing or buzzing sound in your ears, known as tinnitus, after listening to loud music. If you find yourself turning up the volume more than usual to hear your favorite songs, it might be time to consider using hearing protection. Listening to music at safer volumes or using earplugs designed for concerts can help protect your ears. Paying attention to these signs can help you avoid long-term hearing damage.

Difficulty Hearing After Noise Exposure

If you experience difficulty hearing after being exposed to loud noise, it might be a sign that you need hearing protection. This can happen after events like concerts, using power tools or even being in a loud workplace. You might notice that sounds seem muffled, or you have to ask people to repeat themselves more often than usual. If these symptoms happen frequently, it’s an indication that you are experience issues with your hearing. To prevent further harm, consider wearing earplugs or earmuffs in noisy environments. Protecting your hearing now can help avoid damage later on.

You Are Exposed to Noise over 85 Decibels

Being exposed to noise levels over 85 decibels can put your hearing at risk. Sounds at this level include things like heavy traffic, loud music and power tools. If you’re around these noises regularly, your ears may start to show signs of damage. One sign is if you feel the need to raise your voice to talk to someone standing near you. If these symptoms occur often, it’s a good idea to start wearing hearing protection like earplugs or earmuffs. Taking these precautions can help prevent long-term hearing loss. If you are not sure which hearing protection to wear, your audiologist can assist you in choosing the right one for you. Whether it be earplugs, earmuffs, custom-molded earplugs or noise-canceling headphones.

Hearing protection may not seem necessary at first, but signs that you need it become increasingly evident over time. Everyday activities and recreational activities pose risks to your ears, you may experience hearing loss over time if your environment becomes noisy enough for it. So next time you plan a concert, workday or motorbike trip remember to pack hearing protection, as this will help to block out loud external noise to protect your ears. If you are not sure when you need hearing protection, schedule an appointment with an audiologist. They can discuss with you when to wear and which hearing protection will be right for you.