Earplugs vs. Earmuffs: Choosing the Right Hearing Protection

Noise is one of the biggest culprits where hearing loss is concerned. It’s estimated that billions of people across the world are likely to have hearing loss due to loud noise. If you are exposed to loud noise regularly, getting ear protection could help to prevent further hearing loss now and in the future.

However, choosing the right hearing protection isn’t just about protecting your hearing health. You need to consider comfort, practicality and the level of noise reduction you need. Read on to find out more about hearing protection.

The Types of Hearing Protection

The most common types of hearing protection used are earplugs, earmuffs and canal cups. All of these work to reduce the noise that reaches your inner ear. When noise is reduced it’s called attenuation and it’s measured in decibels. You may also see a simplified noise reduction levels figure, on the packaging of hearing protection products. If noise levels are high, earplugs and earmuffs will offer the best protection for your ears.

When To Use Hearing Protection

There may be times when the noise level is out of your control. For instance, you may work in a loud environment because of heavy machinery. Another instance is when you go to a music concert or sports game and the environment is loud. You may not want to wear ear protection throughout the whole performance but putting it on periodically could give your ears the protection they need to prevent hearing loss.

Comfort And Practicality

So, what type of ear protection is best? It often depends on what you need the protection for. To reduce noise from loud music, canal cups and earplugs will suffice. If you’re working in an environment where it’s loud all of the time, earmuffs will often offer more protection than earplugs and they’re easier to remove. However, if you want to ensure your ears are as protected as they can be, wearing earplugs and earmuffs together is your best choice.

Pay attention to the attenuation levels on the packaging for earmuffs and earplugs. Your employer will need to provide you with a specific level of ear protection care so be sure that you’re getting what you’re entitled to.

Do I Have Hearing Loss?

If you’ve been exposed to a lot of noise in the past, you may be wondering if it has affected your hearing. Those with hearing loss can find it difficult to hear what others are saying without having to ask them to repeat themselves. They can also find it difficult to hear others in crowded places and high-pitched voices, like that of children, are more difficult to understand.

If you’ve been exposed to high levels of noise in recent years, it’s essential that you get a hearing test with an audiologist and discuss the right kind of ear protection for you. Whether it be earplugs or earmuffs, your audiologist will help you make a decision based on the levels that you need.