Protect Yourself from Noise

The optimum protection is to eliminate your exposure to unsafe levels of noise whenever possible. When noise cannot be eliminated, these strategies can help to limit the negative effects.

1. Wear hearing protectors when exposed to any loud noise. Hearing protection devices decrease the intensity of sound that reaches the eardrum. Hearing protectors include ear muffs, foam plugs, pre-molded ear plugs, and canal caps. These can be purchased at drug stores, sporting goods stores or can be custom-made. Ear plugs are generally better for low frequency noise and ear muffs for high frequency noise. Properly fitted earplugs or muffs reduce noise 15 to 30 dB. However, there must be a complete air seal between the hearing protector and the skin for these devices to be effective. Check with your audiologist to find out what best suits you.
   

   The following web sites describe devices to protect your ears from excessive noise:

   • The Better Hearing Institute
   • Ear Plugs Online
   • All Safety Products
   • All Hearing Protection

2. It is essential that musicians wear ear protection.
3. When using stereo headsets or listening to amplified music in a confined place like a car, turn down the volume and ask others to do the same. If sound from a head set can be heard by others 3 feet away, the volume is too loud.
4. Look for a noise rating when buying recreational equipment, children's toys, household appliances, and power tools. Choose quieter models, especially for equipment that you use often or close to your ears like a hair dryer. If there is no noise rating, you can contact the manufacturer and request this information. (ASHA)
5. Avoid children's toys that produce high noise levels. This is especially important since children often hold toys close to their ear which exposes them to an added threat for hearing damage.
6. Do not sit near speakers at concerts, festivals and sporting events.
7. Avoid loud noisemakers such as firecrackers and guns.
8. If you suspect hearing loss consult a physician or audiologist and get your hearing tested. Early detection and therapy can avoid serious damage as well as consequent speech disorders in children.
9. There is a growing awareness of the dangers of noise induced hearing loss for children and adolescents. Excessive noise can adversely affect a child's hearing, language development, ability to learn and social interactions.

The Dangerous Decibels project is a public health campaign designed to reduce the incidence and prevalence of Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) and tinnitus (ringing in the ear) by changing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of school-aged children.

Their Teachers Resource Guide provides good background information and creative ideas for classroom activities that will raise awareness in children.

The Hear-It web site provides useful information in English, Spanish, French and German on noisy toys, noises to avoid, and other advice on hearing loss in children and adults.