Sudden or prolonged exposure to noise can cause damage to your hearing and is one of the leading causes of hearing loss. Hearing loss from prolonged noise exposure is often detected too late, and like most hearing loss, is usually irreversible.
Hearing protection is extremely important for anyone who is regularly in a high-noise environment, including target shooters, motorsports enthusiasts, airline pilots, musicians (see our musician’s earplugs section Hyperlink to Musician’s Earplugs/Monitors expanded description page), construction workers and factory workers. The truth is that anyone subject to noise exposure, whether long-term or short term, may need to wear hearing protection to protect their life long hearing.
The following noises are especially dangerous with repeat exposure: lawn mowers, truck engines, motorcycles, garbage trucks, chain saws, pneumatic drills, rock concerts, gun shots, and jet engines, to name a few.
So what are Hearing Protection Devices or HPDs? HPDs are any device that offers a rated protection against the harmful effects of sudden or prolonged noise exposure. They come in a variety of passive protection styles including earmuffs, custom molded, and universal-fit. There is also active protection HPDs for activities that require normal to near-normal hearing and protection against sudden loud noise sources such as hunting.
Though universal earplugs and earmuffs often found in local stores offer some protection, custom molded earplugs offer maximum and consistent protection with a comfortable fit.
As the name implies, custom molded earplugs are made to fit the unique contour of your ear. If you cannot get a comfortable or secure fit with universal earplugs, custom HPDs may be for you. Custom molded earplugs also offer more security in knowing that your ears have the best possible protection against hearing loss.
We offer activity specific custom molded and universal hearing protection from Westone including their DefendEar Digital series and DefendEar Recreational series hearing protection.
We also offer very the affordable Westone Tru series filtered universal hearing protection, which offers the enjoyment of loud music while providing hearing protection.
Custom earplugs are not just for those who wish to protect themselves from high noise levels. Custom solutions are also available for other types of ear protection, such as custom ear plugs for swimmers.
Whatever your unique lifestyle, your audiologist has custom solutions to fit your needs. Your hearing is important. Take care to protect it for today and for the future. If you work in a high-noise environment, it’s important to have regular hearing appointments to check for early indications of hearing loss. Speak with one of our audiologists today about the right solution for you.