Just Ears | Hearing Protection

Hearing Protection: A Brief Guide

2010-04-27T11:44:00.001+01:00

Hearing protection is absolutely imperative to the lasting health of your inner ear. Although it may not seem it, your quality of hearing is jeopardised on a regular basis and by volumes which are considerably lower than you may have initially thought. Whether through exposure to loud music, power tools, heavy machinery or even just prolonged exposure to traffic: it is disconcertingly easy for neglect of auditory health to result in long-term, irreversible hearing damage. Alongside the danger of exposure to loud noise, there are other factors which can impact upon your auditory health: such as the risk of infection when swimming or following an operation on the ear canal. There are simple measures that can be taken in order to protect your ears with minimum fuss: notably the use of specialised hearing and inner protection.

Protection from Dangerous Noise

There are numerous places of employment and recreation which can potentially damage you long-term hearing. Those who deal with weaponry and heavy machinery especially are very strongly advised to make use of ear defenders in order to prevent any immediate or future issues. Modern ear defenders are incredibly sophisticated pieces of equipment, worlds apart from their predecessors which simply muffled all sounds. A high quality earplug or set of ear defenders should allow the wearer to easily hear conversation and other essential sounds, whilst also automatically providing protection against loud or dangerous noises.

Filtered earplugs are a revelation in noisy environments and utilised by such bodies as the US army. Capable of resisting and protecting at volumes up to 200dB, they still allow ease of hearing when it comes to speech due to their intelligently designed filter system which allows safe frequencies to pass through whilst protecting against dangerous volumes and frequencies.

There are also earplugs designed specifically for musicians which are attuned to different frequencies and allow sound to be heard clearly but at a reduced, safe volume: which is absolutely essential in the long-term. These forms of filtered earplugs are also ideal for motorcyclists who wish to still be able to hear speech whilst drowning out the persistent noise whilst on the road.

Infection Protection

Whilst many ear defenders serve the purpose of protecting from excessive or incessant noise, there are other forms which are essential not for their protection from sounds, but from other external dangers. Many people are prone to ear infection either as an innate disposition or as a consequence of operations on the ear canal or inner ear. For these individuals, swimming and sleep plugs are a great way to prevent the risk of infection from stopping them from engaging in activities which involve submersion in water, and as the name would suggest: are also ideal for light sleepers, or those who work night shifts and require sleep during the day.

Protect Yourself

There are a great number of ear protection devices available to counteract any possible damage in a variety of environments and scenarios. If any of the situations listed above pertain to you then it may be well worth considering high quality hearing protection. Custom made ear defenders are always preferable and ensure the maximum, relevant protection. Furthermore, bespoke ear defenders are considerably more comfortable and hygienic: which is particularly beneficial if they are to be worn over long periods of time.

A brief overview of our Hearing

2010-01-05T11:03:00.001Z

In the UK alone, on average 50% of people start to show hearing loss. It is also a common problem in many other countries in the world. The causes of hearing loss are many – result of certain diseases such as diabetes, trauma, fallout of certain medicines, long term exposure to loud noise and of course old age. Hearing loss creates various problems. Our interactions with others completely fail due to hearing loss.

Hearing loss may be mild or total. In mild loss patient misses some high-pitched words but in total hearing loss the patient can not listen anything. Any type of hearing loss should be supervised and treated by the specialized physicians.

When you feel that you are suffering from hearing loss, first pinpoint the cause. We do not understand the reasons most of the time. The most common cause of hearing loss amongst elders is ear wax or the common cold. With the help of a bud you can clean the ear primarily. If the problem is serious then it's better go to an ENT (eye, nose and throat) specialist. With the help of proper lotions he can thoroughly clean the ear system. If the problem is for any diabetic reasons, not much can be done apart from keeping your blood sugar level under control.

Presbycusis, or one form of hearing loss can occur due to changes in the inner ear auditory nerve, middle ear, auditory nerve, middle nerve or outer nerve. Most of the time these changes are the result of old age and sometimes due to accident. Sometimes physicians conduct operations on the eardrum and can get success. This type of operation is mainly successful on young patients.

Older people who cannot hear properly may feel depressed. To help them in such conditions there are various hearing aids available in different shapes, sizes and prices. A hearing aid is a small electronic device that makes sound louder so that a person short of hearing may hear clearly and can participate in daily activities normally. Some are so small that no one will be able to see there is any hearing aid at all. These can be expensive, but prices are becoming more affordable. Hearing aids are mostly battery operated and very easy to use.

Threats to auditory health and how to avoid them

2009-12-04T16:49:00.003Z

Nobody is going to refute the importance of hearing, it is one of the main means by which we experience and interact with the world around us. With this in mind it seems strange that auditory health and protection are neglected on a widespread scale.

The maximum volume achievable in air is 194dB (decibels), this is a level which you are never going to personally experience unless at the site of an exploding volcano, although if you have ever fired a shotgun you may have experienced volume at a none too distant level of 165dB!

Putting these massive figures aside, damage can be caused at any level from 85dB: which is equivalent to heavy traffic or a hair dryer- if exposed to the sound for in excess of 8 hours. Evidently given the long exposure time, this doesn’t pose too immediate or major a threat. There are however examples which are far more worrying. Listening to music through headphones is a particularly concerning instance, especially given the proliferation of personal mp3 players in recent years. IPod’s for instance historically had a maximum volume in excess of 110 dB, at this level permanent damage can occur in less than 2 minutes: less than the length of one song.

Thankfully, Apple have recently acquiesced to governmental decrees on maximum volume and have limited devices to levels dictated by the relevant powers in most countries.
Even at their previous, unrestricted volumes however, mp3 players hardly come close to the volume levels commonly reached at rock concerts, which can range from 110dB to a staggering 140dB. At 130dB and above, pain is often experienced and immediate hearing damage is not uncommon. As a consequence of this, not only is it absolutely imperative that musicians take measures to protect themselves from frequent exposure to the volume levels reached at live performances but also that those in the crowd take measures to prevent potential damage.

The same concerns affect motorcyclists, who are often exposed to volumes in the region of 100dB when on the road and those who use power tools, which in some cases emit up to 120dB when in operation. There are a vast range of instances in which individuals may be exposed to sound levels which threaten auditory health.

In order to protect your hearing and prevent future damage there are two simple options, the first of which: turn the volume down, is incredibly effective, but obviously impossible in many situations! In environments without a volume control, ear defenders are the sensible option. Unlike the unwieldy large headgear of the past, ear protection is now extremely discreet and incredibly advanced. In addition, rather than just minimising the sound allowed to pass into the ear, many modern devices are able to block specific frequencies allowing conversation in areas of high background noise, whilst still protecting the user.

Despite recent legislation in some areas, such as the requirement of employers to provide hearing protection to employees working in environments which commonly reach high volume levels, it is almost universally the responsibility of the individual to protect their hearing in the long term. With that in mind, ear defenders may well be worth taking a closer look at.

Mass transit noise induced hearing losses!

2009-08-27T17:27:00.000+01:00

A recent study in New York shows the potential for what our American friends call mass transit noise exposure to exceed World Health Organisation limits. What this means is that travelling by tube, train bus or car can subject commuters and especially operators to high levels of noise exposure, over a period of time this can cause a noise-induced hearing loss. The study was carried out by a team of scientists from the University of Washington and the Columbia University Department of Sociomedical Sciences using noise dosimetry to measure time-integrated noise levels in a representative sample of New York City mass transit systems aboard transit vehicles and at vehicle boarding platforms or terminals, during June and July 2007. "Of the transit types evaluated, subway cars and platforms had the highest associated equivalent continuous average and maximum noises levels. All transit types had noise levels well above 70dBA (decibels), the threshold at which a noise-induced hearing is considered possible." They went on to recommend: "Environmental noise-control efforts in mass transit and, in cases in which controls are infeasible, the use of personal hearing protection would benefit the ridership's hearing health."

Personal ear protection is available in a variety of styles from disposable, to custom made silicone ear protection and communication devices with filters to help you hear in noisy environments, while cutting out harmful loud noises.

Source: Noise Levels Associated With New York City's Mass Transit Systems. Richard Neitzel, Robyn R.M. Gershon, Marina Zeltser, Allison Canton, Muhammad Akram. American Journal of Public Health.

Leading Hearing Protection Website Offers Safe Haven For Your Hearing

2009-08-27T12:20:00.000+01:00

Hearing is one of the most important senses humans possess. However it is also the one sense that we seem to not concern ourselves with most of the times. In a noisy environment hearing can be damaged beyond repair very quickly and lead to lifetime of hearing ailments such as tinnitus or even deafness. One way of ensuring the safety of our hearing is to use hearing protection, such as ear defenders. A leading website which offers cost effective hearing aids and ear protection is offering outstanding special offers for the people in Surrey, East Sussex and South Yorkshire, that website is www.justears.org.

This impressive website hosts a plethora of hearing protection and related items, such as ear defenders, hearing aids and general ear protection. The website has a sole aim and that is to offer a comprehensive range of hearing related items which satisfy the needs of anyone requiring any form of ear protection or aids. Its exponential growing number of visitors and clientele is testimony to its excellent levels of customer service which are second to none.

The website itself is simple to use and user friendly. Navigation around the website is aided by the fact that there are links down the side which outline the various sections available. These include details about hearing loss, hearing aids, ear defenders. One feature which is often neglected is aftercare, this is to the detriment of the individual and the unit. Aftercare is essential to ensure smooth operation and includes maintenance and a 30 day money back guarantee to ensure total peace of mind and complete customer satisfaction. The website also outlines in an informative and detailed manner, options available and relevant and pertinent information relating to the products and possible ailments, such as details about hearing loss.

Justears.org has become a one stop shop of online information and resources to help those who require protection or help with their hearing. It offers a wide range of products and services which enables the client to access all their requirements in one location. With excellent levels of customer service, this website has become popular due to its nonsensical approach and quality of product as well as their professionalism.

For further information visit http://www.justears.org

Why Use Ear Defenders For Your Hearing Protection?

2009-08-18T09:34:00.000+01:00

Noise is a major factor in many industries especially with todays busy lifestyles. Before modern day technology, people would suffer huge hearing problems as a result. In todays modern world this is no longer a problem thanks to the revolutionary invention of ear defenders. These small mainly silicone based products have saved the hearing of many a person working in noisy environments.

Who Should Use Them?

Anybody working in a noisy environment who wishes to converse in a normal manner should wear ear defenders but they are highly recommended for people working in factories, oil rigs, laborartories, officies, the armed forces, all types of transportation, heavy plant and agriculture. People such as musicians and sportsmen will also benefit from ear defenders.

What Makes For Ideal Hearing Protection?

It has been said that the ideal hearing protection should allow whoever is wearing them to hear conversations a telephone ringing not to mention the other person at the end of the phone. The ideal ear defender should also allow their users to hear the radio and other essential sounds. All of this whilst still providing protection against distressing and dangerous sounds.

For comfort it is always best for any ear defenders to be custom made from a soft grade material to allow hygienic comfort over long periods of time. They need to be vented to minimise the plugged up feeling or the sensation of isolation.

What Options Do I have?

As stated above there are many different options available with regards to your ear protection dependant on which industry you are in or what you wish to use them for. Filtered ear plugs can be attenuated to various decibel levels and will give you the precise attenuation accross all sound levels. Standard Earplugs are not filtered and will only attenuate up to approximately 27dB. Standard plugs whilst giving large attenuation accross all sound frequencies are not as good when in comes to clarity of speech and this will almost certainly be lost especially if you decide to use an intercom through a motorbike helmet for instance.

Filtered and Non Filtered Ear Defenders are by far the most popular but there are more intelligent models out there for the more specific requirements. There are to many to list in this article but other models include the Max 200 which is an intelligent hearing protector that allows people to hear in extremely noisy conditions and as such is used by the US Army in conditions of up to 200dB.

The Duocom Communication ear defender is fitted with ML01 filters and was specifically produced for use with communication and radio equipment where ambient sound levels are high. These particular models are supplied with your standard 3.5mm jack plug so are compatible with most types of communication and radio equipment.

We could go on forever detailing the more specific models that are used by musicians and sportsman alike but the main point here is to illustrate that no matter what the industry there will be an ear defender that will suit. To summarise I would like to make clear that our hearing is a very precious gift and there are many people out there that would give anything to hear again so with so many options available with regards to ear defenders why gamble with something so precious?

Hearing Protection & Hearing Aids

2009-08-17T11:00:00.002+01:00

Welcome to the Just Ears Blog. Specialists in hearing protection for a whole host of different occassions. Check back soon for more in-depth articles on our range of hearing solutions.