Hearing Protection
Understanding Noise-Induced Hearing Damage
We live in a loud world. Heavy city traffic, music being shared through the open windows of the car stopped next to you, appliances and equipment for cleaning or tending your yard, sporting events, and so many other noises are a common part of daily life. Extreme noise events or frequent exposure to excessive noise can lead to noise-induced hearing loss.
How do you determine at what point the noise is loud enough or frequent enough to cause damage?
To provide perspective, it is necessary to know that normal conversations measure around 60 decibels (dBA), which is well below the hearing damage threshold. Noise-induced damage can occur with exposure to 85 dBA of noise averaged over 8 hours. For every 3 decibel increase in volume, damage can occur with exposure for half the amount of time.
It takes only 4 hours for damage to occur at 88 dBA. Noise levels that exceed 100 dBA (a lawnmower, handheld power tools) can cause damage after 15 minutes of exposure. A chainsaw or music through headphones at full volume, as well as nightclubs and concerts, usually registers around 105 dBA, which means that damage can occur after a little over 3 minutes of exposure.
Limiting exposure and the length of exposure to damaging noise is the best means of preventing noise-induced hearing loss, but that is not always possible due to lifestyle or occupational circumstances. In any situation where extended exposure or extreme noise is likely to occur, the use of properly designed hearing protection is essential to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.
Advanced Hearing Protection Devices Available from UpState Hearing
We understand that some occupations, hobbies, chores, and lifestyles expose you to damaging noise, so we have a broad range of hearing protection devices to prevent hearing loss.
14-Day Test-Drive All Hearing Technology
You wouldn’t buy a car without having a test-drive, and we don’t expect you to invest in better hearing without first experiencing the difference for yourself.
UpState Hearing Instruments proudly offer 14-day test-drives on all hearing technology, giving you the confidence that you’re making the right decision.
Request a Callback
That’s why we have a hearing care expert available to help.
If you have a question, or would like to speak to a professional privately about the challenges that you may be facing, then simply request a callback and we’ll call you for a friendly no-obligation conversation.
Why Hearing Loss Often Goes Unnoticed
According to a recent National Health Survey, it’s predicted that 15% of the US population has some form of untreated hearing loss. The reason for this is that hearing loss can be very difficult to self-diagnose. With it often occurring slowly and gradually, it’s rare to notice any day-to-day changes, with no way to compare to what your hearing was once like. This is the reason that our loved ones often notice our hearing challenges before we do.
If you are concerned about your hearing or a loved one’s hearing, then your first step should be to have a comprehensive hearing assessment. It’s quick, non-invasive, and the earlier you can catch any form of hearing loss, the sooner you can correct it, and the higher the success rate.