Hearing Aids: How to Protect Your Hearing

According to statistics, there are at least 30 million people who suffer from some form of hearing loss. Hearing loss can affect anyone at any time, no matter how young or old they are. Although some forms of hearing loss are determined by medical conditions and genetics, other forms are preventable if the necessary steps are taken to protect it.

One of the biggest causes of loss is excessive exposure to loud noises. Anything over 80 decibels has the potential to affect a person's ability to hear. It can even cause permanent hearing loss. If you are not sure of how loud 80 decibels is, a conversation is usually 45 to 65 decibels and a lawn mower or motorcycle is 80 to 90 decibels. If you are exposed to high levels of noise on a regular basis, you may end up suffering some permanent hearing loss and may have to resort to using a hearing aid to retain any hearing you have left in the affected ear. Even listening to music too loud or going to a rock concert can cause problems.

Hearing loss that is caused by noise is something that doesn't cause any pain while it is occurring. It progresses over time and most people don't realize that they have trouble hearing until it's too late. There are some ways you can protect your hearing and keep you from having to rely on a hearing aid.

If you work in an environment such as a factory or in the landscaping business where you have no control over the noise levels, make sure you wear some ear protection such as ear plugs to reduce the noise. Take frequent breaks and find somewhere quiet to go. The suggested length of time for high level noise exposure above 70 decibels is 7 to 8 hours. Some people have been known to still experience some sort of hearing loss following that time frame.

If you can, try to avoid being in any environment that has hazardous noise levels. A good rule of thumb is if you have to yell or shout to be heard, then that environment is too loud for your ears.

If you have to be exposed to high decibels, wear protection at all times. You can purchase ear protection devices that are made of silicone, foam and other materials to wear. You can also wear earmuffs and plugs. Look for products that have a NRR of 9 decibels or greater. If you plan on listening to music with earphones, invest in a pair of headphones that provides a high level of fidelity protection. These products regulate all of the sound frequencies and can enhance the sound of your music without you having to turn the volume up.

Stay a good distance away from any amplifiers and monitors. Do not stand right in front of any speakers; this is where volume is the loudest.

Remember hearing loss is an ailment that can happen when you least expect it. If you don't want have to rely on the assistance of a hearing in the near future, protect your ears and avoid loud sounds.