Ear protection is crucial for protecting your long-term hearing health. By dampening the force of sound hitting your ears, the protection prevents your inner ear hair cells from being overstressed by loud noise, minimizing your risk of damage. Let’s look at a few different types of ear protection to help you find the best option for your lifestyle.
Disposable Foam
Disposable foam earplugs are the single-use options that people may give out at concerts or on airplanes. You can find them in many Longview or Tyler drugstores. They’re inexpensive and great for people who aren’t regularly exposed to dangerous noise levels.
If you’re planning to go to a concert or other noisy event, stop by a drugstore for a pair of disposable earplugs to protect your hearing.
Pre-Molded Earplugs
Pre-molded earplugs are available in silicone, plastic and rubber. They come in a variety of styles, from shallow designs ideal for sleeping or light noise reduction to high-fidelity versions that lower volume without compromising sound quality. People who need a quiet environment for sleep or want to reduce everyday noise may prefer the shallower options, while high-fidelity earplugs are a great choice for frequent concertgoers who want to protect their hearing while still enjoying the audio.
Pre-molded earplugs vary in price, but most are inexpensive. If you find yourself wanting to wear earplugs regularly, investing in a pair of reusable plugs is an excellent idea.
Custom Earplugs
Custom earplugs are specially molded to the shape of your ear. They offer supreme comfort and hearing protection. Because they’re custom, you will need to make an appointment with SoundLogic to get a cast of your ears. We offer a variety of plugs based on how you’ll use them, including:
- Swimmer’s plugs: made of waterproof silicone that prevents water from entering the ear canals
- Hunter’s plugs: use acoustic filters that amplify background noise while quieting the noise from a gunshot
- Musician’s plugs: include filters that offer different levels of sound protection based on the type of instrument you use or the venue you play in
- Musician’s monitors: allow the wearer to control how much sound they hear and when they hear it
Earmuffs
Earmuffs are the gold standard for workplace noise. Some people who might use them include construction crews, people who use power tools, factory workers and baggage handlers for airplanes. Workplaces that have noise levels of over 85 decibels are OSHA-mandated to provide hearing protection—usually in the form of earmuffs.
If you’re unsure which hearing protection option is right for you, or you want to schedule an appointment for a custom earmold, contact SoundLogic today.