Environmental and Recreational Hearing Protection

Do you hunt, shoot, ride motorcycles, or race cars? Are you involved in a hobby where you are exposed to high decibels of sound? It is very important to protect your hearing while still enjoying your hobbies. Loud sound can damage the tiny hair-cell nerve endings in the inner ear and leave one with a permanent loss of hearing.

Lawn mowers, shop tools or even a city street can be greater than 85dB. A rock concert can be 110dB or greater. Firearms create sound levels of 140dB. Hearing damage can occur immediately when exposed to extremely loud sound and over time when exposed to moderately loud sound. The damage can be painless and it generally does not bleed. One can be totally unaware that they are permanently damaging their hearing.

There is technology available that uses seamless sound activated compression to trigger instant and automatic suppression of any noise over 90dB for shooters and 80dB for industrial use. The amplifier allows sound to be amplified but strong sounds are suppressed. The custom design allows maximum comfort and durability and provides excellent sound suppression. Custom-made non-electronic hearing protection is effective and comfortable to wear.

Dr. Ken Parker Doctor of Audiology

Maybe you play guitar, banjo, keyboard, or sing vocals in a band. Does your church have an orchestra or band you participate in? Musicians are exposed to sound levels of as much as 100dB. In a recent study, it was found that 52 percent of classical musicians had noise induced hearing damage.

Flutes, trumpets, and drums can produce very strong sound levels. We offer custom-fit stage monitors for musicians and vocalists that deliver superior sound quality with a custom and secure fit. Custom-made musician's plugs can reduce the strong sound in an orchestra or band without modifying the balance of the music.

Even the kids and teens need to be aware of potential hearing damage. In a recent CDC study of kids in the 9-19 year age range, it was found that 13 percent had permanent hearing loss likely due to listening to their music too loudly.

At Audiology Services, we see the heartache of permanent hearing loss. The technology we have available to help those with hearing loss is wonderful, but keeping your normal hearing is much better. If you are exposed to strong noise in work or play, protect your hearing. Call us today for more information regarding any of these products. It only requires a brief appointment to make impressions of an individual's ears to be on their way to optimum hearing protection.