Sudden or prolonged exposure to noise can cause damage to your hearing. In fact, it’s one of the leading causes of hearing loss. Hearing loss from prolonged noise exposure is often detected too late, meaning the hearing loss is usually irreversible.
Hearing protection is extremely important for anyone who is regularly in a very noisy environment, including target shooters, motorcyclists, airline pilots, musicians, construction workers, and factory workers. The truth is that anyone subject to noise exposure may need to wear hearing protection to protect their long-term hearing. The following noises are especially dangerous with repeat exposure: lawn mowers, truck engines, motorcycles, garbage trucks, chain saws, pneumatic drills, rock concerts, gun shots, and jet engines, to name a few.
Although store-bought earplugs offer some protection, customized earmolds and earplugs offer maximum protection and a comfortable fit designed specifically for your ears. They also offer more peace of mind, as you will know that your ears have the best possible protection against hearing loss.
Earmolds come in a wide variety of sizes and types. Some earmolds are solid, and some are soft or spongy. The most popular styles are full shell and half shell. Full-shell earmolds are generally for high-level noise exposure, while half-shell earmolds are for mid-level noise exposure. The type of earmold your hearing professional recommends will depend on your individual needs.
Some earmolds come with a filtered attenuator, allowing for verbal communication while still protecting hearing; this is popular with musicians. These types of earmolds come in both electronic and non-electronic models. Earmolds are also popularly used to fit over certain earbud headphones, under pilot boom-mic headsets, and other specialty uses.
As the name implies, custom earmolds are specially made to fit the unique contour of your ear. If you cannot get a comfortable or secure fit with traditional earplugs, custom earmolds may be for you. They offer some of the best hearing protection available.
Earplugs are a form of hearing protection usually reserved for the canal only. Some earplugs are solid, while others allow more sound to pass through. Specialized earplugs are available for musicians and medical professionals who still want the ability to hear most of their surroundings while protecting their hearing. Earmolds and earplugs are not just for those who wish to protect their ears from high noise levels. Custom solutions are also available for other types of ear protection, such as custom earplugs for swimmers.
Specialty earplugs can be custom fit to your ear canal and are usually more comfortable than traditional earplugs. They are available with or without handles and detachable cords.
Whatever your unique lifestyle, your hearing professional can provide a custom solution to fit your needs. Your hearing is important. Take care to protect it for today and for the future. If you work in an environment with a high noise level, it’s important to have regular hearing appointments to check for early indications of hearing loss. Speak with a hearing specialist today to find the right solution for your unique situation.