Ear Protection

It's not just loud music anymore; it's more than likely that repetitive sound or loud constant bank in your place of work that is the real hazard. It has been a constant threat since the industrial revolution began not so many years ago. Too much noise exposure may cause a temporary change in hearing (your ears may feel stuffed up) or a temporary ringing in your ears (tinnitus).

In most cases, the ringing in your ears or the pounding headache goes away within a few minutes or hours after leaving the noise. However, repeated exposures to loud noise can lead to permanent, incurable hearing loss or tinnitus. Unlike other injuries, there is no visible evidence of noise-induced hearing loss [NIHL].

It is not traumatic or usually even noticed when it occurs. Rather, hearing impairment accumulates over time, its effects realized long after the damage has been done. Worse, noise-induced hearing loss is permanent and irreversible. However, with ear protection it is 100% preventable. 

How does ear protection protect myself against noise?

• Wear hearing protectors, especially if you must work in an excessively noisy environment. You should also wear them when using power tools, noisy yard equipment, or firearms, or riding a motorcycle or snowmobile.
• Hearing protectors come in two forms: earplugs and earmuffs.
• Earplugs are small inserts that fit into the outer ear canal. They must be sealed snugly so the entire circumference of the ear canal is blocked.
• Earmuffs will not seal around eyeglasses or long hair, and the adjustable headband tension must be sufficient to hold earmuffs firmly in place.

Hearing protectors do slightly reduce the ability of those with damaged hearing or poor comprehension of language to understand normal conversation. However, it is essential that persons with impaired hearing wear earplugs or muffs to prevent further inner ear damage in very noisy places.