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Noise Induced Hearing Loss Is 100% Preventable. With The Correct PPE.

It seems like every other article on hearing protection is talking about Noise Induced Hearing Loss. And for good reason; Noise Induced Hearing Loss, or NIHL as it’s commonly referred to, is a "slow injury." It creeps up on people over time, and before it’s recognized, significant hearing loss has occurred. Think this is just a normal part of getting older? It's not.

The good thing about NIHL is that it's 100% preventable. Wear the right hearing protection, wear it properly, don't remove it in noisy areas and NIHL can be avoided. Hearing protectors vary in type, shape, and technology, and much of this is due to a few crucial components: the level of sound protection required, fit, and the need to communicate. Without preaching about why one should be wearing hearing protection, let's concentrate on finding the right option and keeping them on.

Ear Plugs

Ear plugs come in multiple shapes, sizes, and types. This is due to the uniqueness of our ears. Each person’s ears are uniquely shaped and because they are among the rare parts of our body that never stop growing, they continue to be uniquely different over time. This is the main reason for having such a variety of ear plugs. Employers need to make a few types of plugs available to fit all shapes and sizes of ear canals, as opposed to a “one size fits all” approach. As for "fit," it's more about the actual fitting process. Placing an ear plug into an ear canal is not as easy as one might think. It’s not a matter of a quick one-shot push. Properly wearing ear plugs, as with any PPE, is critical to achieving the protection the product is designed to provide.

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Ear Muffs

Ear muffs are a form of technology that just keeps getting better and better. In the last few years, much has been done to reduce the weight and bulkiness. Additionally, improvements in foams have made them significantly more comfortable. But perhaps the most impressive improvements have been achieved through the integration of electronics.

Unlike conventional passive muffs that attenuate based on insulating and dampening materials, electronic muffs integrate level-dependent microphones that detect speech frequencies and allow  them to come through the speakers for easy communication, without the need to remove the ear muff. The electronics can also detect an impulse sound blast and react in nanoseconds to increase sound protection. In addition to this, electronics can easily accommodate integration of personal mobile or communication devices.

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The Right Protection for Work & Home

With current advancements in hearing protection, there should be no need to preach because workers now have more choices than ever. Plugs come in all shapes and sizes so that they are comfortable to wear and can be worn properly, and electronic ear muffs allow you to communicate and hear warning signals, without removing them.

Exposure and education in the workplace has familiarized us  to the dangers that exist, but many people don’t identify these hazards outside of work. More and more of us are dependent on personal listening devices for music or entertainment. At the same time, there are many ”DIY” jobs on the weekend that involve all types of tools and equipment,   resembling those used at work and should therefore involve the appropriate protection.

We need to be aware that NIHL doesn't stop at work. Wearing hearing protection while you mow the lawn or operate the snow blower will protect you from unnecessary exposure, and it sets a good example for future generations.  Preserving hearing and avoiding NIHL is  more possible than ever, thanks to evolving education and the great advancements in hearing protection technologies.

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