Though many of us are still feeling the impacts of the pandemic, essential workers continue to work hard every day so the rest of us can stay safe. These essential workers, and even those at home, need to not only take care of their safety in regard to their health but also their hearing. Learn more to see if your hearing may be at risk and what you can do to protect it.
June is National Safety Month, organized by the National Safety Council, and it focuses on the protecting lives and preventing injuries in the workplace and the world beyond its’ boundaries [1]. This month helps to raise awareness about the many jobs that may put employees at risk for hearing loss if they do not protect their hearing in the workplace.
Common professions at risk
Here are some common professions, including essential workers, that are at risk for hearing loss and how to protect hearing in the workplace.
So, you’ve decided that you should start wearing hearing protection because you work in any of the fields listed above or wear hearing protection for some of your day-to-day activities such as mowing your lawn or swimming laps.
Regardless of who’s your reason, here are a few different types of hearing protection that work to reduce the amount of sound traveling to the middle and inner ear, see the pros and cons of each below.
Disposable earplugs
These are usually made of a pliable foam that are rolled by hand into a thin tube then placed in the ear canal that then expand to seal off the ear.
Reusable earplugs
These are made of a pre-molded flexible silicone or rubber that are usually flanged or cone-shaped. There are a variety of sizes to fit different wearers and some are joined by a cord or headband.
Earmuffs
Earmuffs look similar to stereo headphones; they completely cover the outer ear. The cushions in the muffs are usually filled with a foam or liquid and are connected by a headband that adjusts to fit the wearer.
Custom molded earplugs
These are a perfect balance of comfort and proper sound protection because they are custom made for the wearer. While the initial purchase is more expensive, they are specifically made to fit the unique shape of your ear canal and last several years.
Hearing loss is more prevalent than you may think. Learn how noise may have impacted your hearing by requesting a virtual hearing assessment to see if you should seek treatment from a professional.
