Fall is here, and with it comes a host of enjoyable activities. But did you know that many of these autumn pastimes can pose a risk to your hearing?
Noise-induced hearing loss is a significant public health issue, affecting millions of people worldwide. To ensure you can enjoy the sounds of fall without compromising your hearing, it’s essential to take precautions.
Common Noisy Fall Activities
- Football Games: The roar of the crowd, the touchdown celebrations, and the blast of the halftime show can all contribute to noise exposure.
- Hunting: Firearms, even those with suppressors, can produce harmful noise levels, especially when used repeatedly.
- Back to School: Classrooms, hallways, music lessons, and school events can expose children and teens to excessive noise.
Tips for Hearing Protection
- Wear Earplugs or Hearing Protection: In noisy environments, earplugs or hearing protectors can significantly reduce the amount of noise that reaches your ears. There are a variety of options available, including disposable earplugs, custom-molded earplugs, and electronic hearing protection. At Comprehensive Ear & Hearing, we offer a wide variety of hearing protection options, including:
- Earmuffs: Useful in moderate to loud noise, easy to put on and take off, adjust to different head sizes, and come in low profile and high visibility styles. Electronic earmuffs are ideal when communication is required in noisy places.
- Solid Custom-Molded Earplugs: Custom made for individual use, blocking moderate to loud noises. Also used as swim plugs.
- Musician’s Earplugs: Custom made for individual use, with a special filter providing a “flat” frequency response so music and speech sound softer but not muffled. Different filter reduction options available.
- Electronic Hearing Protection: Available in instant fit and custom molded options. Hearing protection and enhancement devices that amplify sounds, deliver natural wind reduction, and provide superior all-digital sound quality. Rechargeable and great for hunting and high noise jobs.
- Safe Listening Earbuds: Available in Bluetooth and corded styles. Built with a responsible max listening volume of 85dB, these earbuds keep kids’ ears safe during longer listening sessions.
- Take Breaks from Noise: If you’re in a noisy environment for extended periods, take regular breaks to give your ears a rest.
- Limit Your Exposure: Try to avoid excessively noisy activities or, if possible, limit your exposure to them.
- Get Your Hearing Checked Regularly: Even if you don’t notice any hearing problems, it’s important to have your hearing checked regularly. Early detection and treatment can help prevent further hearing loss.
By following these tips, you can help protect your hearing and continue to enjoy the sounds of fall for years to come.
If you have concerns about your hearing or would like to learn more about hearing protection, please contact Comprehensive Ear & Hearing.