Audiologist Boise | Hearing Doctor Boise | Hearing Tests & Aids > Audiology Services > Custom Ear Pieces > General Hearing Protection

Hearing Protection

Boise - Meridian - Eagle

We have Different Earmold options to help protect your hearing whether you are using power tools, trying to get rest, listening to loud music, and etc.

Solid Plugs

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Custom fit solid earplugs provide maximum noise protection for a variety of recreational and occupational environments. You can also get these with a corded (lanyard) earplug option, which allows the wearer to place the plugs around their necks.

Musician Earplug

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These earplugs have filter that attenuates across all frequencies as evenly as possible, which allow you to hear conversations or enjoy music. Several different strength filters are available (10db, 17db, 26db) and an Impulse filter (IPIL 33.1).

Sleeping Earplug

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Custom fit Canal style earplugs that help reduces surrounding noises, so that you can get restful sleep. Comes with a standard handle for removal.

More information on Protecting your Ears from Noise

General Hearing Protection

Ambient sound is a part of our everyday environment whether it be from a TV, Ipad, cellphone, radio, computer, machines or traffic. Usually, these sounds do not damage our hearing capacity. However, sounds can be harmful if they are too loud, even if for a brief period, or if they are both loud and long-lasting. These sounds can affect the sensitive structures inside your ears and lead to Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). Out of 40 million Americans suffering from hearing loss, around 10 million can be attributed to NIHL.

Risk Factors for NIHL

The Loudness of the Sound

Noise level is recorded in decibels (dB). The higher the dB, the louder the sound will be. You can safely listen to sounds up to 70 dB for a long span of time without damage. However, your hearing can be easily damaged if you listen to sounds above 85 dB.

How Long you Hear the Noise

Listening to sounds at 85 dB for more than 8 hours continuously, can lead to hearing loss. Over 85 dB, the safe listening time is reduced in half for every 3 dB rise in the noise level. That means if the noise level is 88 dB, the safe listening period is only 4 hours.

Distance From the Noise Source

This is often based on a configuration of the first two factors to determine what is safe.

Protecting Your Hearing Capacity

Avoiding loud noise is the best thing you can do to protect your ears. Remember, if you have to shout while talking in a noisy environment, then it is too loud for your ears. Here are some suggestions which will help you better protect your ears:

  • Do not rely on stuffing cotton balls in your ears. This does not protect your hearing. Do rely on specific hearing protection devices like earplugs or earmuffs.

  • Earplugs fit inside your ear and block the canal. They are available in different shapes and sizes. You can also opt for custom made earplugs which are made by an audiologist. Earplugs can reduce the noise by 15 to 30 dB.

  • Earmuffs cover both the ears from outside. They should fit tightly to block the sound. Earmuffs can also reduce the sound level by 15 to 30 dBA, depending on their fit and quality.

  • If you want to cut down the noise, even more, you can use both earplugs and earmuffs together. You should use both of the devices when the sound level is above 105 dBA for more than 8 hours or if the noise impulse is above 140 dBA.

Ears are a sensitive and very important organ of our body. Never take your hearing for granted and think that ears are tough and nothing can happen. Noise-induced hearing loss is a slow and painless process. The damage to hair cells and nerves due to loud noise cannot be reversed. Beware! If you are not bothered by loud sounds, then you may already be suffering from some hearing loss.

Custom Earplugs at Eagle Hearing Center

The total time taken for custom-made earplugs is around 15 to 30 minutes at Eagle Hearing Center. Our audiologist will first examine your ears to make sure they are clean and safe to make the impressions with putty. You can select the color and style options. After that, it takes around 1-2 weeks for the custom earplugs to be made. Call us for an appointment if you would like to better protect your hearing with custom earplugs.

References:

Noise Induced Hearing Loss Study

H Does Loud Noise Cause Hearing Loss?

Loud Noise Dangers

Hearing Protection/

Noise Induced Hearing Loss/