Noise Protection / Custom Ear Plugs
When we are working in our daily job or absorbed in a hobby, we don’t always consider the hearing health implications of what we are doing. It is very easy to incur damage and noise induced hearing loss can be permanent and can also be accompanied by tinnitus.
When Should I Wear Hearing Protection?
Wearing hearing protection is crucial if you are exposed to excessively noisy environments, typically 80 dB or more. To protect your hearing health, it’s essential to wear hearing protectors in situations such as:
- Working in noisy environments or industries
- Using power tools at home
- Handling firearms such as clay pigeon shooting
- Riding a motorbike
- Playing loud music
Exposure to loud noises can quickly exceed safe levels, leading to potential hearing damage. The table below illustrates just how easy it is to surpass maximum safe exposure levels:
| Level of noise in dB(A) | Maximum daily exposure time |
| 85 | 8 hours |
| 91> | 2 hours |
| 97 | 30 minutes |
| 103 | 7 minutes |
Being exposed to noise can also cause fatigue and irritability. Some noise level examples (estimates)
| Noise level | Unprotected | Protected | |
| 60dB | Speech | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| 70dB | Office | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| 85dB | Busy traffic | 8 hours | Unlimited |
| 91dB | Pub | 2 hours | 64 hours |
| 100dB | Factory | 15 minutes | 8 hours |
| 106dB | Nightclub | 4 minutes | 2 hours |
| 115dB | Jackhammer | 30 seconds | 15 minutes |
| 140dB | Gunshot | None | 1.5 minutes |
To prevent hearing loss and protect your ears from long-term damage, always use appropriate hearing protection when in any of these environments. By taking these precautions, you can ensure your hearing remains healthy and intact.
Monmouthshire Hearing Centre offers custom made noise protection including impression taking for many different specialties.
Swimming
Cold water swimming has become very popular, and we would recommend custom made swim plugs to prevent swimmer’s ear. This is an infection in the outer ear canal, which runs from your eardrum to the outside of your head. It’s often brought on by water that remains in your ear, creating a moist environment that aids the growth of bacteria.
Putting fingers, cotton swabs or other objects in your ears also can lead to swimmer’s ear by damaging the thin layer of skin lining your ear canal.
Noise Protection Products and Fitting Procedure
As the range of noise protection products has grown, we recommend the following procedure;
- Contact the appropriate website (below) for your activity and explore which options are available and suitable for your needs.
- Purchase the noise protection voucher from the supplier’s website.
- Make an appointment with one of our experienced team members for ear impressions to be taken.
For the impression taking service we charge up to £50.
Follow our links to product solutions below
Swimming: |
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Shooting: |
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Motorsports: |
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Musicians: |
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Sleep plugs: |
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Work: |
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For more information contact us on 01600 772111 or email us at [email protected].
Visit Perfect Fit Ears for a great choice of custom-made in-ear products.
