Why Use Custom Made Hearing Protection?
Why Use Custom Made Hearing Protection?
Sudden or prolonged exposure to noise can cause damage to your hearing and is one of the leading causes of hearing loss. Hearing loss from prolonged noise exposure is often detected too late, meaning the hearing loss is usually irreversible.
Industrial workers have faced noise exposure that has increased the occurrence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Constant exposure to moderate-intensity noise in terms of frequency can create negative effects on the human auditory system. Noise affects the hearing loss of workers and other accompanying problems that may arise, including tinnitus, poor hearing ability, and a lower quality of life .
Hearing protection devices (HPDs) have been developed to reduce noise exposure.
A recent study on the effectiveness of hearing protection devices evaluated types of HPD’s and their functions and effects. Six of twenty studies conducted a comparison between types of HPDs. In one study: earplugs, earmuffs, and a combination of earplugs and earmuffs were compared.
Tufts et al. reported the effects of user training and fitting consistency. Compared to non-customized earplugs, customized earplugs showed significantly better consistency of attenuation values at frequency ranges of 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz. To get the most benefit from the HPDs, an appropriate fitting method should be required. The uncomfortable feeling of HPDs stems from an inadequate fitting method.
A recent study on Noise Exposure and Hearing Protection in Marching Band Students at the University of Arkansas, found similar findings.
The study was done to determine whether the provision of custom earmolds affected the practice of consistently wearing hearing protection.
Results showed that providing custom earmolds positively impacted wearing time, and more band members chose to wear the hearing protection.
Most participants who did not consistently wear the earmolds stated that fit, comfort, and perception of volume were the main reasons for inconsistent wear.
Results showed that providing custom earmolds positively impacted wearing time. A greater number of band members chose to wear the hearing protection.
After the provision of custom earmolds, the main reported reasons for not wearing hearing protection were: forgetting to wear hearing protection and the quality of sound. Comfort was a reported improvement.
Custom-made hearing protection is the most comfortable protection on the market. With properly fitted HPDs, your employees will gradually reach the stage where they’ll be wearing their hearing protectors 100% of the time.
