| Everyone has seen the caricature image of an | | | | importance as once damaged it is not possible to |
| elderly gentlemen struggling to understand what is | | | | cure the damaged hearing. To this degree it would |
| being said due to poor hearing. This maybe used | | | | be advisable for anyone subjected to loud sounds |
| in amusement on newspaper cartoons and | | | | to make use of cheap ear plugs. For |
| billboards, however within today's high tech | | | | professionals, such as musicians and people who |
| environment it is even more important to practice | | | | enjoy shooting as a sporting activity, there are |
| good ear care. | | | | custom ear plugs available that are specially |
| Prior to the invention of the personal stereo, | | | | designed to help block out the harmful noise levels |
| generally most peoples contact within loud sounds | | | | without effecting the overall enjoyment of the |
| would come from visiting pop concerts or at the | | | | activity. These types of ear plugs are actually |
| work place. However within the advancement of | | | | custom made with a mold of the ear being taken |
| technology, it is now not uncommon for mobile | | | | prior to manufacture. The advantage of this |
| phones to also have incorporated within them a | | | | process is that they offer optimal levels of |
| radio or music playing device. | | | | comfort making them ideal for anyone who has |
| Also nowadays a considerable amount of time is | | | | to wear hearing protection for prolonged periods. |
| spent in front of a PC. Although highly educational | | | | A possible improvement to educating people on |
| and entertaining, the noise levels generated by | | | | the dangers of loud sounds could be the inclusion |
| computer games and online music videos over a | | | | of such information on audio purchases, such as |
| prolonged period of time can actually have a | | | | mp3 players and car audio equipment. It is not |
| harmful effect on your hearing. | | | | only the leisure industry that needs to be mindful |
| Damage to hearing is actually caused by a | | | | of such issues. Within the work environment there |
| combination of both the loudness measured in | | | | is actual legislation here in the UK and the rest of |
| decibels as well as the length of time subjected to | | | | Europe that is designed to help protect the |
| the sound level. Therefore it is quite easy to | | | | hearing of employees whilst at work. Anyone |
| cause permanent hearing damage by listening to | | | | found not confirming to the new laws can find |
| very loud music on your personal stereo after | | | | themselves being subjected to heaving fines or |
| only a few hours listening. | | | | possible law suits from employees. |
| Another cause for concern is the popularity of in | | | | The important of ear protection can also be seen |
| car entertainment systems. These devices are | | | | by the negative impact of continuous sounds that |
| designed to produce very loud levels of sound and | | | | famous musicians have been subjected to. Quite |
| are a common feature in cars owned by the | | | | a few rock stars complain about suffering from |
| younger generation. Whilst listening to music is far | | | | Tinnitus after many years of concert playing. |
| from a bad activity, as mentioned above, it is the | | | | Therefore it makes perfect good sense to invest |
| level of the sounds and length of time that causes | | | | in a pair of cheap earplugs or alternatively reduce |
| concern. | | | | the amount of time spent listening to music. |
| Hearing protection should be given more | | | | |