FAQs
FAQs ABOUT HEARING PROTECTION
Devices or methods used to reduce exposure to loud sounds and prevent hearing damage. Common forms include earplugs, earmuffs, and custom-fitted earmolds, which are all designed to reduce (attenuate) the intensity of sound entering the ear.
Hearing protection is important in environments with loud sound, such as construction sites, concerts, shooting ranges and during any activity that could potentially harm your hearing over time. Hearing protection prevents damage caused by loud sounds, which can lead to permanent hearing loss or tinnitus.
The three general categories of hearing protection are earplugs, earmuffs, and earmolds.
The right choice depends on your loud sound exposure, environment, use case and communication needs. No one style is the best for every situation. The most appropriate style is the one that you will use properly and regularly.
Custom earmolds are made from an impression of your ears; whereas, a universal fit earplug is made to fit “most” ears.
Yes, filtered and electronic hearing protection allow you to hear speech and ambient sounds while blocking harmful sounds.
With proper care, custom earmolds can last several years, making them a durable and cost-effective solution.
Yes! We offer solutions for shooting, swimming, sleeping, musicians, motorsporting, and more.
A proper fit feels snug, comfortable, and effectively blocks noise without pain or irritation. Fit testing ensures optimal performance.
While no solution will block 100% of loud sound, high-quality, well-fitted hearing protection significantly reduces hazardous sound to safer levels.
If using foam earplugs, dispose of them daily. If using silicone universal fit earplugs or custom earmolds, you can clean them with very mild soap and room temperature water or non-alcoholic wipes (i.e. baby, hand, or “Audio” wipes). Store them in a clean case and avoid extreme temperatures (i.e. leaving in the car).
FAQs about Earmolds
Earmolds are custom-fitted devices that are manufactured from an impression of your ear and are designed to fit the unique shape of your ear. They provide protection, comfort, and functionality for various purposes, including hearing protection, communication, and recreational activities like swimming or shooting.
Earmolds are manufactured from an impression of your ear. We use a special impression material to create an exact mold of your ear, ensuring a perfect fit for comfort and effectiveness. The impressions are typically sent to an earmold lab via the mail or electronically where the impressions are used to manufacture the end product.
Custom earmolds are tailored to your specific ear shape, which may offer a better fit and higher comfort than off-the-shelf, universal fit options. They may also provide superior protection and performance particularly if earplugs or earmuffs are not a good option for you.
With proper care, earmolds can last for several years. However, with significant weight loss/gain, or if you undergo radiation therapy or surgery on or near your ear(s), the fit of the earmolds will likely change, in which case, you’d need new impressions of your ears.
Yes! Since they are custom-made to fit the exact shape of your ear, they offer a high level of comfort. Unlike generic earplugs, they won’t cause discomfort, even with prolonged wear.
Yes! We offer custom earmolds for Apple AirPods, and other earbuds to enhance comfort, security, sound quality, and fit.
No. Nothing can block out ALL sound, particularly if the intensity level exceeds 120 dB.
To maintain your earmolds, you can clean them with mild soap and water or use wipes that do not contain harsh chemicals (i.e. alcohol). Safe wipes are baby or “audio” wipes. Do not submerge your earmolds in water if they are filtered (unless they are filtered swim molds). Store them in a hard case when not in use, and avoid storing them in extreme temperatures.
If your earmolds no longer fit properly or are allowing too much sound in, it is likely time to have new impressions of your ears.
Yes! We offer on-site services for businesses, schools, and organizations, providing custom fittings, hearing tests, and earmold consultations right at your location for added convenience.
If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to us!
FAQs about Hearing
Hearing loss can be caused by a variety of factors, including aging, prolonged or frequent exposure to loud sound, genetics, infections, earwax buildup, and certain medical conditions. It can occur gradually or suddenly, affecting one or both ears.
Signs of hearing loss include difficulty understanding conversations, asking people to repeat themselves often, turning up the volume on devices, or experiencing ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Oftentimes, friends and family will be the first to notice if you’re not hearing as well as you used to. If you, your friends or friends notice any of these signs, it’s important to have a hearing test.
A hearing test evaluates your ability to hear different sounds at various pitches and volumes. The test helps identify the extent of any hearing loss and can guide appropriate treatment, such as hearing aids and protective measures.
While some hearing loss is inevitable, many cases can be prevented by protecting your ears from loud noise, managing ear infections, and maintaining overall ear health. Using earplugs or earmolds in noisy environments can be particularly effective in preventing loud sound-induced hearing loss.
Hearing loss is typically categorized into three types:
Conductive hearing loss: Caused by issues with the outer and/or middle ear, like ear infections or earwax buildup.
Sensorineural hearing loss: Caused by damage to the inner ear and/or auditory nerve, often due to aging, loud sound exposure, or chronic health conditions (i.e. heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, etc.).
Mixed hearing loss: A combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
Tinnitus is the perception of ringing, buzzing, or other sounds in the ears when no external noise is present. It can be caused by exposure to loud noises, ear infections, or underlying health conditions. While it can be just temporary, chronic tinnitus, if bothersome, can be managed with treatment.
While some types of hearing loss, such as age-related or loud sound-induced, cannot typically be reversed, many can be managed with treatments like hearing aids, cochlear implants, or assistive listening devices. Regular check-ups with an audiologist can help you find the best solutions.
You can protect your hearing by wearing ear protection in noisy environments, avoiding prolonged exposure to loud sounds, and keeping the volume at a safe level on headphones. Regular hearing check-ups also help catch potential problems early.
A hearing aid is a small electronic device worn in or behind the ear that amplifies sound to help people with hearing loss. Modern hearing aids are customizable to suit different needs, offering features like noise reduction, Bluetooth connectivity, and more.
It’s recommended to have your hearing checked at least once every 2 years, especially if you're over 50 or at risk for hearing loss. Regular hearing tests help monitor any changes and ensure your hearing health is maintained.
To improve communication, get the person’s attention, face them directly, speak clearly, minimize background noise, and use gestures or written notes if necessary. Do not shout. Speak a little louder and a little slower. Preface what you are going to say by giving context (i.e. “About dinner tonight …. How does lasagna sound?”). The more information you give, the less the hard of hearing person will have to fill in the blanks. Patience and understanding are key. Remember, if it were you with hearing difficulties, you would want your family, friends and co-workers to be understanding and patient. Practice the same for your loved ones with hearing difficulty.
If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us!
FAQs about Loud Sound Exposure
Sound is measured in decibels (dB), and sounds above 85 dB can be harmful with prolonged exposure. For example, normal conversation is around 60 dB, while loud music or a lawn mower can reach 90-100 dB, and rock concerts or jet engines can exceed 120 dB, which can cause immediate hearing damage.
Loud sounds can damage the hair cells in the inner ear, which are responsible for sending sound signals to the brain. Once these hair cells are damaged, they do not regenerate, leading to permanent hearing loss. The higher the volume and longer the exposure, the greater the risk of damage.
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) or loud sound-induced hearing loss (LSIHL) occurs when exposure to loud sounds over time causes permanent damage to the hearing structures in the inner ear. This type of hearing loss is preventable with the proper precautions, such as using ear protection.
To protect your hearing, you should:
- Wear ear protection like custom earmolds, earplugs, or earmuffs in noisy environments.
- Keep the volume at a safe level when using headphones or earbuds.
- Use a free sound level meter app (i.e. NIOSH or Starkey SoundCheck) to measure ambient noise levels.
- Take breaks from noisy environments to give your ears time to recover.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to loud music, machinery, or traffic noise.
Remember: If it hurts, it’s too loud. If your hearing is muffled after exposure, it was too loud. If your ears are ringing after exposure, it was too loud!
Signs of hearing damage from loud sound exposure include muffled hearing, ringing/buzzing/humming in the ears, and hypersensitivity to everyday loud sounds. If you experience any of these on a regular basis, it’s recommended to see an audiologist to have your hearing evaluated.
Yes, a single exposure to extremely loud sounds, such as a gunshot or a nearby explosion, can cause immediate, irreversible hearing damage. Even short-term exposure to very loud sounds can lead to hearing loss over time.
Sounds at or above 85 dB can cause hearing damage with prolonged exposure. The louder the sound, the shorter the time it takes to cause harm. For example:
- 85 dB: 8 hours of exposure
- 100 dB: 15 minutes of exposure
- 120 dB: 7.5 seconds of exposure
Yes. In many cases, your hearing may be temporarily muffled or you may experience temporary ringing in your ears, and within 72 hours, it may resolve. However, symptoms like these are a sign that damage was done even if it was temporary. Repeated attacks on your hearing will cause permanent damage, which may make your hearing permanently muffled or may cause permanent ringing in the ears. To prevent this, invest in good hearing protection and use it consistently.
Any hearing protection option that you will use consistently and that is comfortable is the best type of hearing protection. There is not one style that is best in every situation. The best option for you depends on the environment, the use case, and your needs.
Yes, loud sound-induced hearing loss is one of the most common causes of hearing impairment, especially for people who are regularly exposed to loud environments such as concerts, construction sites, or factories. The damage often accumulates over time, so it’s important to take preventive measures as early as possible.
Yes! Even if you have existing hearing loss, ear protection can prevent further damage and preserve the hearing you have left. Custom earmolds or high-quality earplugs or earmuffs can be especially beneficial in loud environments.
You can use a sound level meter app or a handheld noise meter to measure the decibel levels in your environment. If the sound exceeds 85 dB, it’s time to consider hearing protection.
If you have more questions or need advice on how to protect your hearing, don’t hesitate to contact us!
FAQs about Tinnitus:
Is it tinnitus or “ear noise”?
Source:
Author Name: Dr. James A. Henry, PhD
Platform: LinkedIn
Date Posted: October 2024
URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/earsgonewrong?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
Tinnitus is the perception of ringing, buzzing, hissing, or other sounds in the ears and/or head. It can occur in one or both ears and may vary in intensity and duration.
Tinnitus can be caused by several factors, including exposure to loud sound, ear infections, earwax buildup, aging, head injury, certain medications, or underlying health conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes. It can also be associated with hearing loss.
Yes, tinnitus is quite common. It is estimated that about 15-20% of the population experiences some form of tinnitus, and it is especially common among individuals with hearing loss or those who have been exposed to loud sounds over time.
There is currently no cure for tinnitus, but there are effective treatments to manage and reduce the symptoms. These may include sound therapy, counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), hearing aids, and lifestyle changes. Managing the underlying cause (e.g., hearing loss or ear infection) can also help alleviate symptoms. If you have bothersome tinnitus, do not feel discouraged that there is not a cure yet. There are many excellent audiologists that can help you not only manage your reactions to your tinnitus, but more importantly, to habituate to it. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need more information or resources.
The short answer is we don’t know. The sound and intensity of tinnitus can vary greatly from person to person. It can sound like ringing, buzzing, hissing, chirping, sizzling, whooshing, whistling, or even pulsing. The perception of tinnitus is subjective, and it is influenced by factors such as the cause, the severity, and an individual’s response to the condition.
Yes, prolonged exposure to loud noises, such as concerts, machinery, or gunshots, can cause tinnitus. The damage to the hair cells in the inner ear from loud sounds may lead to the perception of ringing or other sounds in the ears.
Yes, stress and anxiety can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms. Emotional and physical stress can heighten the perception of tinnitus, making the sounds seem louder or more persistent. Other factors that may temporarily worsen your tinnitus include alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and high doses of aspirin.
There are several ways to manage tinnitus:
- Sound therapy: Using background noise to mask the tinnitus sounds.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Helps change the way you think about and react to tinnitus.
- Hearing aids: If you have hearing loss, hearing aids can amplify external sounds, which may reduce the perception of tinnitus.
- Relaxation techniques: Stress reduction through meditation, yoga, or other relaxation practices.
- Lifestyle changes: Avoiding loud noises, reducing alcohol and caffeine intake, and managing stress levels.
Yes, hearing aids can potentially mask over your tinnitus by providing some amplification. In addition, most hearing aids have a masking noise that can be activated to help reduce awareness of your tinnitus. Lastly, most hearing aids are also Bluetooth-capable, which allows for connection to any smart phone and streaming of any audio directly to the hearing aids.
In many cases, tinnitus can be temporary and improve with time, especially if it was caused by a short-term issue such as an ear infection or earwax buildup. However, if tinnitus persists for at least a year, it is more likely that it is permanent. Having said that, tinnitus is not fully understood yet, and we do not have a way to predict if it will be permanent, temporary, or if it will spontaneously resolve after months or years.
Yes, excessive earwax buildup can lead to temporary tinnitus or can temporarily intensify pre-existing tinnitus.
Of course! It is estimated that about 10% of people with tinnitus experience it as being bothersome, and it affects their day-to-day life. In this case, it is important to see your primary care physician, an audiologist, or an Ears, Nose, and Throat (ENT) physician to first determine if there is a medically-diagnosable cause that needs to be addressed. In most cases, the exact cause is unknown, but the tinnitus can be managed very effectively through different treatment protocols that aim to help the person achieve habituation to their tinnitus. In some cases, tinnitus treatment can be more effective with a multi-disciplinary approach meaning you may be working with an audiologist, a counselor, your primary care physician and an ENT physician simultaneously. In other cases, an audiologist is the primary practitioner.
If your tinnitus is sudden, in one ear only, persistent, gets worse, or is accompanied by other symptoms like hearing loss, dizziness, or pain in the ear(s), it’s important to see an Ears, Nose, and Throat (ENT) physician within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms if possible. Your symptoms may be due to inflammation of the inner ear, in which case, an ENT physician may prescribe steroids to quickly reduce inflammation, which may improve or completely resolve the symptoms.
If you have more questions or need personalized advice on managing tinnitus, feel free to contact us!
