85 decibels. That’s the noise measure at which repeated exposure can trigger severe hearing damage.
100 decibels. that is the sound measure hit by a rock show, which is not-so-good news for musicians or live concert goers.
It’s also part of a larger problem: According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), approximately 30 million people in the U.S. are subjected to unsafe noise levels, representing one of the major work-related dangers over the prior 25 years.
And performers aren’t the only ones at risk; here are some of the decibel volumes linked with basic work related activities: a power saw can reach 110 decibels, a newspaper press 97, a chain saw 120, a sporting show 105, and a jet takeoff 150. performers, factory workers, construction workers, airport personnel, emergency staff, plumbers, and carpenters are all at risk of developing major hearing loss and tinnitus.
Work-related hearing loss impacts tens of thousands
Kevin Twigg of Stockport, England understands all too well about the occupational perils of loudness. Twigg worked on diagnosing and fixing police car sirens — which hit between 106 to 118 decibels — for more than 30 years.
After retirement, Twigg started to suffer severe tinnitus in addition to severe hearing loss that obligated the usage of hearing aids. Having failed to take the appropriate steps that would reduce the noise levels, Twigg’s employer was found responsible in court, losing a case in which Twigg would gain a large settlement.
This is a experience that is all too familiar: according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2009 only there were 21,000 cases of occupational hearing loss reported.
How to protect your ears at work
So here’s the problem: the world needs music players, contractors, and emergency and construction workers, but you can’t really make power saws and law enforcement sirens any quieter.
The solution? decrease the intensity of sound that enters your ear. Easy, right? Well…not so fast.
You could simply drive to the local store and pick up some disposable foam ear plugs, but as it turns out, there is a much more appropriate alternative.
The preferred solution requires the use of custom-fit ear plugs, often times referred to as musicians plugs, that your hearing consultant can customize specifically to you, your occupation, and your preferences.
4 reasons why custom-fit ear plugs are more effective than the off-the-shelf foam variety
Here are four reasons why custom-fit ear plugs are far superior to foam ear plugs.
1. Preservation of sound quality
Customary foam ear plugs muffle speech and music. By suppressing noise mainly in the high frequency range, rather than in the mid-to-low frequency range, music and voices sound unnatural and indecipherable. Foam ear plugs also diminish sound by 30-40 decibels, which is not needed for the deterrence of hearing injury.
Custom-fit ear plugs will lower sound more evenly across frequencies while decreasing sound volume by a lower decibel level, thereby maintaining the organic character of speech and music.
2. Prevention of the “Occlusion Effect”
With foam ear plugs, the wearer will notice a hollow or boomy sound in their voice when talking, singing, or playing an musical instrument. This aggravating noise is known as the “occlusion effect.”
Custom-fit ear plugs are shaped to the ear, generating a deep seal that helps prevent this distracting sound.
3. Cost & convenience
Custom ear plugs can keep working up to four years, almost always at a price tag of well under $100.
Let’s do some calculations on the throw-away foam plugs:
$3.99 for 10 pairs equals $0.39 per pair
$0.39 per pair X 5 days per week X 52 weeks per year X 4 years = $405.60
With custom-fit ear plugs, you will certainly save money in the long run and will avert all of those outings to the store. No one likes purchasing ear plugs, so while the initial visit to the audiologist seems like a pain, in the long run you will also conserve time.
4. Preserving the environment
Disposable ear plugs produce a lot of waste:
5 days per week X 52 weeks per year = 260 pairs of foam ear plugs tossed out every year.
Schedule a consultation and protect your ears
The benefits of custom-fit ear plugs speak for themselves.
If you work in a profession that exposes you to a high risk for hearing damage, or if you attend very loud concerts or sporting events, schedule an consultation with a hearing consultant today. Custom-fit ear plugs will protect your ears, and unlike the disposable foam varieties, will also conserve the high quality of sound.