What are Common Forms of Ear Protection?

Whether you work in a loud environment, like a construction site, airport or factory, use power tools or lawnmowers for the home or simply enjoy loud hobbies like going to the cinema or shooting range, you should be aware of the hearing risks. Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common causes of hearing issues and, in many cases, it’s preventable with the help of a hearing health professional and proper protection. These are the most common types of hearing protection they may recommend to you.

Disposable earplugs

The cheapest hearing protection devices available, these are regularly favored by those who only need intermittent or light hearing protection, such as those who only occasionally use power tools for home DIY. They are built to fit the widest range of ears possible, which does mean that they may not fit some at all. These earplugs can be inserted directly into the ear or may be held fast by a headband, but they do not go into the ear canal like the custom-made variety. As their disposable nature suggests, they cannot be used more than one time. What’s more, they may not be suitable for long-term use as the approximate fit can cause some discomfort and irritation over time.

Custom-made earplugs

Like their disposal cousins, these earplugs are designed to be inserted into the ear. Unlike the others, however, these are a little more expensive because they require casts to be made of your outer ear. From these casts, the molds are made. They don’t have to be discarded after one use and, so long as you clean them on a regular basis, can be used time and time again. Their custom-made nature ensures a much better fit and, what’s more, they can be designed to your specific needs. Some custom-made earplugs may be able to reduce your exposure to certain kinds of noise while allowing others, such as making it easier to hear someone speak when you’re working in a loud environment.

Earmuffs

Rather than fitting in the ears like either kind of earplugs, this hearing protection fits over them, instead. Soft ear cushions can make them a lot more comfortable for sustained use than disposable earplugs, while sound attenuating material provides some of the most comprehensive protection out of all the options. Held together by a headband, they are also very easy to put on, take off and to adjust so that they fit your head as comfortably as possible. While often cheaper than custom-made earplugs, they do not usually come with the same level of customizability, meaning they are best used for total protection from all kinds of sounds, especially in very loud environments such as construction sites and the shooting range. If you believe that you need hearing protection, whether for a hobby, your work or simple DIY purposes, get in touch with your hearing health professional. They can recommend the option that works best to your needs and even help you create custom-made earplugs if that’s what suits you best.