1. Choosing the Right Hearing Protection in Extreme Noise Environments
A hearing disability be tremendously trying. Hearing loss caused by occupational noise is one of the principal
industrial maladies. Exposure to high noise levels causes hearing loss that may be may be temporary, permanent,
or a combination of both. High level noise may initially cause dull hearing with perhaps ringing in the ear as well.
With regular exposures, this will lead to loss of hearing as well as health effects.
Effects of noise induced hearing
Workers at special risk of hearing damage (industrial deafness) are usually those in heavy productive industry, such
as metal work, drilling and quarrying, stone cutting, or the use of noisy machinery, as in textiles, printing, wood
cutting, transportation and agriculture. Noise induced hearing loss may result in not being able to hear warning
sounds like alarms, supervisors giving directions, etc. One cannot effectively use speech communication in an
environment in which the background noise level is too high. Work effects include increased absenteeism and
lower productivity. Sometimes, the masking of warning shouts by background noise can be responsible for
industrial accidents.
Very high levels may cause damage after relatively short periods, even when the noise is intermittent. If you must
work in an excessively noisy environment, you should wear protectors. You should also wear them when you are
using power tools, noisy yard equipment, or firearms.
Choose the appropriate protection for your ears
Noise induced hearing loss is slow and painless and is permanent. There is no cure but it can be prevented. Earlier
workers had to wear double protection to safeguard their hearing that resulted in improper communication and
lack of awareness of their surroundings.
A misleading notion about the use of hearing protective devices is that it makes it even harder to communicate.
Wearing hearing protectors in high-level noise environments can enhance communication for normal ears because
speech-to-noise ratios are kept nearly constant and the protected ear does not alter from overdriving caused by
the high speech and noise levels.
With the advanced ear hearing protection that is available in the market these days, workers can communicate,
stay protected and maintain their situational awareness in extreme noise environments. The latest electronic ear
plugs and electronic ear muffs help to stay protected in extreme noise environments. The latest technology
ensures background noise is lowered to a safe level while retaining the natural qualities of the sound so the user
retains awareness of their surroundings. These solutions offer rugged design, for use in extreme noise
environments.
Also read more on - ear plug, hearing loss prevention, occupational hearing loss