Choosing the right hearing protection is vital for the health of your hearing. If you do a job in which you’re exposed to loud noises regularly, there’s nothing more important than ensuring you always have the right level of hearing protection in place.
Without that, you could be vulnerable to hearing loss and problems such as tinnitus. If you’re not sure how to choose the right hearing protection for you, here are some of the things you should know and understand.
Ensure your hearing protection suits its purpose
First of all, you need to make sure that the hearing protection you have in place is fit for purpose. That means it has to be suitable for what you’re doing. For example, there are musicians’ earplugs that are designed for people who are regularly close to loud instruments and speakers. But there are also headphones that are suitable for people who work at airports on the tarmac who need protection when they’re close to planes taking off. There’s a solution for every need.
Find the right comfort and fit
It’s also essential to make sure that the hearing protection you choose is comfortable for you to wear. If you don’t find it comfortable, it’s probably going to end up causing you problems. And that can lead to you simply deciding not to wear it even when you need it. Protection is vital so you can’t simply not wear it because you made the wrong choice and end up with hearing protection that’s not comfortable. Think about the fit as well because that’ll impact comfort.
Talk to your employer
If you’re buying hearing protection that you’re going to be using in your workplace, you could talk to your employer about what you need. If it’s a new job and you’re not sure precisely what kind of hearing protection you need, your employer should be able to offer you the right guidance. In some instances, they might even provide hearing protection you. In some places, it’s necessary for employers to provide this kind of equipment to their employees when they’re working.
Understand legal safety standards
There are some occasions when there are specific rules in place that have been written into law under various health and safety acts. So, be sure to look into this and see if there are certain levels of protection that are required in certain industries and working scenarios. This, again, might be something that you have to talk to your employer about. If it’s written into law, the chances are, your employer will be obligated to provide you with the right hearing protection.
Store and maintain your hearing protection correctly
It’s also important to store your hearing protection correctly. Be sure to find out the best way to clean your hearing protection once you own it. And when you’re not using the hearing protection, it’s advised that you store it in a place that’s dry and protected from any dirt or grime that might otherwise find its way onto the item. The last thing you want is to develop an ear infection because you didn’t store and maintain your hearing protection correctly and adequately.
Consider a custom-made solution
Many people choose to opt for custom made solutions when they’re not sure exactly what they need from their hearing protection. These are often earplugs that are molded to the shape of your inner ear, offering a tighter and more comfortable level of protection. When you choose a solution like this, you can be sure that you’re getting exactly the kind of protection that you require. There are lots of retailers out there that provide custom made hearing protection solutions, so take a look.
Consider the replacement rate
Finally, you should think about the replacement rate of the hearing protection you choose. If you choose disposable earplugs, you’ll have to replace these very regularly. But even earmuffs and banded earplugs should be replaced every four to eight months depending on how heavily they’re used. If you don’t replace them regularly enough, you might not be getting the level of protection you need, and that can then lead to problems with your hearing if you’re not careful.
Head to San Francisco Hearing Center if you want further help with anything relating to your hearing. We’ll be more than happy to book an appointment for you and find a solution to the problems you’ve been experiencing recently.
