Learn How to Prevent Hearing Loss in Cincinnati, OH
Hearing Protection Tips for Everyday Life
Protecting your hearing is the most important part of preventing hearing loss as you age. Whether you work around loud machinery, participate in noisy recreational activities, or enjoy attending live music concerts, it’s essential to ensure your hearing is adequately protected for your environment. Ohio Hearing & Audiology provides complete hearing protection services for patients throughout Cincinnati, OH and the surrounding areas. Avoiding noisy environments is always recommended, but we understand it’s not always possible. With a professional consultation, you can be matched with hearing protection products that are custom fit for your needs, preferences, and lifestyle. Below, our hearing care professionals have included important information about how to protect your hearing daily. Contact the friendly team at Ohio Hearing & Audiology today to learn more and schedule a one-on-one consultation.
The Importance of Protecting Your Hearing
Any inner ear (cochlea) damage can result in hearing loss. As exposure to loud sound continues, hearing loss progresses. In some cases, hearing loss can be temporary. However, when vital parts of the ear have been damaged beyond repair, they can become permanent. Damage to the auditory neural system is generally permanent. When loud and noisy activities can’t be avoided, it’s essential to use hearing protection that properly fits and effectively reduces the level of sound entering your ear.
Look for Noise Reduction Ratings
When choosing hearing protection, you should consider the noise reduction rating, which indicates the potential protection the device provides. Noise reduction ratings are measured in decibels (dB), and most have ratings that range from 0 dB to 35 dB. If you want to know exactly how much noise reduction your devices are achieving, you can have them fitted by a hearing care professional.
Choosing the Right Hearing Protection
When choosing hearing protection, it’s ideal to consider comfort, convenience, and whether you’re willing to wear it consistently in the environment you’re exposed to noise. How well the protection works depends on whether you wear it correctly and consistently. The most common types of hearing protection devices include the following:
- Insert-Type Earplugs – These devices are generally easy to use, cheap, and mostly effective. They provide a comfortable, air-tight seal within the ear canal.
- Earmuffs – Available in several models designed to fit most people, earmuffs effectively block out noise by completely covering the outer ear. Some earmuffs include special features, allowing users to communicate or block unwanted sound impulses and background noise.
- Specially Made Devices – These devices are styled and sized specifically for a person’s individual ear and hearing protection needs. They can include a variety of special features, including built-in radios and communication devices, uniform attenuation earplugs for musicians and concertgoers, and much more.
Do Noise-Canceling Headphones Protect Hearing?
Noise-canceling headphones are not designed for proper hearing protection. Most new noise-canceling headphones on the market are designed to block unwanted external sounds using active noise control and soundproofing. If you’re exposed to loud noises that can damage your hearing, you should schedule an appointment with the hearing care professionals at Ohio Hearing & Audiology for a custom hearing protection solution.
Learn More About Preventing Hearing Loss Today
Properly protecting your hearing is essential for your present and future hearing health. Ohio Hearing & Audiology offers comprehensive hearing protection services to match you with the right solution for your needs, preferences, and lifestyle. Whether you want to be custom fit for professional hearing protection products or schedule a hearing evaluation, we’re committed to ensuring your experience with our team is comfortable and hassle-free from start to finish at our hearing care centers throughout Cincinnati, OH and the surrounding areas. Contact us today to learn more about protecting your hearing, or schedule an appointment to get started.
