How loud is too loud?
Noise exposure isn’t something we think about until we’re feeling the repercussions – ever come back from a loud concert or a live sporting event with ringing ears? You’ve suffered some noise exposure damage, and it can come from just about anywhere.
Workplace noise exposure can prove to be just as damaging as a live event over time. These days, noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the second most common form of hearing loss after age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis, because the world around us is only increasing in volume.
How Is Noise Measured?
Decibels are the unit of measurement for sound, often seen abbreviated as dB. Sounds at or below 70 dB are considered safe for our hearing – but you’d be surprised by how loud things can get!
Think about where you work: Are you in a home working setting, or do you go into an office or cooperative workspace to get your job done? While the average office space reaches noise levels that won’t leave lasting damage, a construction site can reach almost double that level.
Even just a handsaw can reach approximately 85 dB – a jackhammer or a power drill can be up to 130 dB, which will leave lasting damage to one’s ears.
For construction workers, ear protection is crucial to maintaining healthy and happy hearing.
Custom Hearing Protection for Construction Workers
The best treatment for hearing loss is prevention. If you’re reading this and you work in a busy construction site, maybe you’re considering if custom hearing protection would help you stay safe at work and keep you hearing better for longer.
There are multiple over-the-counter earplug options out there that can provide some protection, but one of the virtues of custom hearing protection is that we take a mold of your ear canal so your earplugs are unique to you; a watertight acoustic seal will keep your ears safe against noise exposure.
Custom-made earplugs allow you to hear a full range of sounds but at a reduced volume that won’t affect your listening skills in conversation. Sound passes both ways through the earplugs; your voice won’t reverberate or echo in your ears, and you won’t get that plugged-up feeling that some earplugs give.
If you work in construction, it’s important to track your hearing health and protect it from noise-induced hearing loss with specially made protective gear like custom hearing protection.
How ZN Audiology Can Help
We’re here to help when it comes to providing custom hearing protection solutions to the Brooklyn area. You can get back to work with peace of mind that the saws, drills, hammers, and tools of your trade won’t affect your hearing.
If you believe that you have some level of hearing loss due to noise exposure, come see us for a hearing check-up; even just one hearing test can help you understand your current range of hearing and make moves to protect it for your future.
For questions about hearing care, or to share concerns about your unique situation, please feel free to request a callback and we’ll get in touch as soon as we can. Alternatively, you can find your closest clinic and call us in Brooklyn: (347) 312-6298 or Forest Hills: (718) 255-1113.
