The world is filled with noise. From engines to construction, we are surrounded by sounds that can hurt our ears and cause permanent damage over time if not protected. Hearing protection is important for everyone who wants to keep their health in check and prevent irreversible hearing loss. Many people find it difficult to find the right hearing protection for their needs. This article will show you how to select custom hearing protection based on your needs and lifestyle so you can protect your hearing from harmful noises.
What are the different types of hearing protection?
There are many different types of hearing protection. In general, hearing protection is divided into two categories: NRR and NRR+.
NRR protection refers to the number of decibels that your ear canal is protected from harmful sound levels. For example, a set of earmuffs with an NRR of 33 would protect your ears from noise levels up to 65 dBs.
NRR+ protection includes passive and active features that can better protect your ear. Passive features include things like headgear and earplugs, while active features include things as complicated as electronic devices that produce sound waves or make noise themselves such as a personal radio or music player.
Picking a hearing protector based on your needs.
There are three different types of hearing protectors: earplugs, earmuffs, and in-ear devices. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks.
Earmuffs offer the most protection against noise because they cover your entire head and both ears with a soft foam material. They also have a wide range of adjustable volume control settings so you can find your ideal sound level. They may be difficult to wear for some people because they’re bulky and can get heavy after long periods of time.
Earplugs are small pieces of soft foam that fit into your ear canal to block out sounds. This type is great for blocking out low-frequency sounds (like construction or engine noise) but not high-frequency sounds like voices or music because they don’t fully block those noises. They are easy to insert and remove, but the downside is that they might fall out while moving around or during exercise.
In-ear devices are semicircular-shaped headphones that fit in your ear, blocking all outside noises while keeping you connected to what you want to hear (i.e., music). This type offers more versatility than other types since it’s easier to listen to music on them while sitting still or walking as opposed to just sitting down with an earplug in your ear. The downside is that they don’t offer much protection from low-frequency noises like construction noise or engine noise due to their size being smaller than an average human ear canal.
How to select custom hearing protection?
The first step in selecting custom hearing protection is determining what you want to use it for. Some people like noise-canceling earplugs for noisy places that are loud enough to cause ringing, while others like ear muffs for shooting or hunting. Others may need a different type of protection, such as earplugs with a filter. The next step is figuring out what kind of protection you need in your specific situation.
You should consider the following points when deciding on the best hearing protection:
- What are the noises you’re trying to protect yourself from that will affect your hearing?
- How long do you plan on using these guards?
- What is your budget?
Conclusion
The right hearing protection is a must for hearing protection.
Hearing protection is a personal decision and the most important one to make is finding the right ear protection for your needs. It’s important to consider your personal needs, budget and desired style in order to select the best hearing protection for you. For example, if you’re an avid shooter or hunter, then you need custom earplugs. If you’re working in a noisy environment, then custom ear muffs are your best bet. And if you want to protect your baby from loud noises, then custom earplugs are the way to go. Here’s a closer look at the different types of hearing protection and how you can select the best for your personal needs.