| Although it used to be only people who worked in | | | | encountered at home. It's important to use and |
| certain industries or were active in certain hobbies | | | | wear foam earplugs properly or they may not |
| or sports worried about noise induced hearing loss. | | | | provide an adequate level of protection. Follow the |
| Today, research shows that even using certain | | | | manufacturer's guidelines and instructions for use |
| home power tools, riding a motorcycle, listening to | | | | carefully! |
| loud music or just taking a walk in a loud city | | | | Earplugs made of flexible plastics are another type |
| could put your hearing at risk for damage. | | | | of protection that may work well for your |
| Sometimes hearing is damaged by a single | | | | personal use at home. These are premolded |
| instance of exposure to a very loud noise, such | | | | earplugs that come in various sizes to ensure |
| as a nearby explosion. Oftentimes, hearing loss | | | | proper fit. |
| occurs as the result of exposure to moderately | | | | Earmuffs are among the most effective types of |
| loud noises over time. In fact, much of the decline | | | | HPD. These have cups with soft plastic cushions |
| in hearing associated with old age may be due to | | | | that fit around the ears, preventing damaging |
| slow, ongoing damage to hearing that occurs over | | | | noise from reaching your ears. Different types of |
| the course of a lifetime. | | | | earmuffs are sold for various types of use, but |
| Industries that put workers at risk for hearing | | | | most will provide adequate protection for |
| damage due to noise exposure typically have | | | | different types of activities. For instance, you |
| specific hearing protection devices (HPD) that | | | | may wear the earmuffs you purchased for use |
| they provide to employees to comply with safety | | | | with your chainsaw to protect against potential |
| regulations. These may include special earmuffs or | | | | hearing damage while riding your lawn tractor. |
| earplugs that are carefully fitted and sized to | | | | Canal caps are another type of HPD you may |
| provide the correct level of protection. | | | | find more comfortable or convenient than |
| If your employer provides HPD, it's important to | | | | earplugs or earmuffs, but they generally don't |
| wear them as recommended and replace them if | | | | provide as much protection. Flexible tips attached |
| they are damaged. If you'd like to protect your | | | | to a lightweight headband fit into or cover the ear |
| hearing at home, you can buy your own HPD to | | | | canals similarly to the way ear plugs do. |
| wear when you're using lawn care machinery, | | | | If a device or type of equipment comes with |
| woodworking tools, riding a motorcycle or | | | | recommendations about hearing protection, follow |
| engaging in any potentially loud activity. | | | | that advice! Alternatively, use common sense to |
| Formable earplugs are an inexpensive option that | | | | choose a HPD that mutes or dulls sound to a |
| can protect against loss of hearing. These are | | | | comfortable, quieter level. In the long term, |
| made of expandable foam and don't require | | | | wearing HPD may help you avoid hearing damage |
| special fitting. These are disposable earplugs that | | | | and reduce the likelihood you'll need to wear |
| are comfortable to wear and can be very | | | | hearing aids as you age. |
| effective against loud sounds typically | | | | |