The Best Ear Protection for Your Needs

You might be worried about damaging your hearing due to exposure to loud noise. If you speak to a hearing care provider, you will discover that this type of damage is unfortunately quite common. Hearing loss is no longer and never really has been, a condition of age. It’s something that can occur at any age and it can be due to the environments we subject our ears to.

Luckily, a hearing specialist will be able to recommend various protection options for your ears. You might be surprised to learn that there are a few different types of protection products available on the market. So, which one is right for your needs? Let’s look at some of these possibilities.

Earmuffs

Earmuffs are the heaviest protection option and provide the highest level of protection for those subjected to loud noise. These devices typically have a hard plastic or metal outer shell and inside there is a honeycomb foam used to trap air so that it never reaches the ears. The main difference between this type of ear protection and other similar possibilities is that you won’t typically be able to hear much at all. You may hear a highly muffled noise, but you probably won’t be able to make out what someone is saying if they are talking to you, even at close proximity.

Earmuffs will not commonly be used in day-to-day life. Instead, they are generally utilized by individuals operating heavy equipment, from jet engines to drills that go through concrete. Make sure that your employer is providing you with this type of protection if you are working in an environment like this.

Earplugs

You might also want to think about using earplugs. Earplugs fit into your ear and block damaging sounds from entering the canal. While they can be used to protect your ears from irritating noises such as your partner’s snoring, they are also a form of ear protection. Earplugs are the cheapest and most typical form of ear protection available. If you speak to your hearing health professional, you’ll find that you can pick them up from virtually anywhere. They are best for people who are occasionally exposed to loud noises and who want to protect their ears even from these fleeting occasions.

Custom ear protection

Finally, these devices are custom designed for your specific ears and are supposed to fit your ears perfectly. They should let no air breakthrough but will usually be perfectly designed to take the weight of the noise while still allowing you to hear clearly. As such, they are great for both working professionals in nightclubs and people attending music festivals or perhaps an Imax screening. While more expensive, if you are regularly going to be exposed to loud noise, often for hours, this is definitely the best form of defense you can get for your ears.