Hearing Protection

Hearing Protection

Excess noise exposure isn’t the only cause of hearing damage. Diseases, drugs and injury may all contribute to hearing loss. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your hearing and help prevent hearing impairment.

Protecting Your Hearing from Loud Noise

Noise-induced hearing loss is the most common cause of hearing loss in the U.S. The good news? It is easily preventable. Follow these tips to protect your hearing:

• Wear hearing protection when exposed to loud noise. Earplugs are a must in noisy environments such as rock concerts and sporting events. They should also be worn when riding a motorcycle or snowmobile, mowing the lawn, using power tools, etc. If your job exposes you to loud noise, your employer is required by OSHA to supply hearing protection.
• Turn down the volume. When listening to music or watching television, keep the volume low.
• Limit the number of noisy appliances running at the same time.
• Buy quieter products. Many appliances list dB ratings in their specifications.

Preventing Hearing Loss from Diseases

Some diseases can cause hearing loss. Viruses that might damage hearing include measles, mumps, whooping cough and rubella. Bacterial diseases such as meningitis and syphilis can also lead to hearing damage. Acoustic neuroma – tumors on the hearing nerve (usually benign) – may contribute to hearing loss. Tips for preventing hearing loss from disease include:

• Make sure your child is vaccinated. Immunizations offer protection from many childhood infections that can cause hearing damage.
• If you are sexually active, use protection to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, some of which can cause hearing loss.
• Don’t delay seeking medical attention should you fall ill.

Protection from Ototoxic Drugs

Some drugs cause damage to the sensory cells responsible for hearing. These include certain antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, salicylate pain relievers (e.g., aspirin), quinine (for treating malaria) and diuretics. In order to reduce your odds of hearing loss when taking medications, follow these tips:

• Take medications only as directed.
• If you experience symptoms of hearing loss such as tinnitus while taking new drugs, see your doctor immediately.

Custom Earmolds

It has long been acknowledged that noise induced hearing loss can be prevented by wearing earplugs. While there are plenty of good choices available off the shelf, because all patients’ ears are unique the best protection will come from those crafted from custom earmolds.

Custom earmolds are made from impressions of a patient’s ear canal and concha (the outer bowl-shaped portion of the ear). They adhere perfectly to the contours of their ears, providing a superior fit and protection. Custom molds aren’t just made for earplugs; they can be used in a variety of products including headphones, stethoscopes and earpieces. Doctors, nurses, pilots, news reporters, musicians, swimmers, racecar drivers, hunters, concertgoers and construction workers are just some of the individuals who can benefit from custom molds.

Custom earmolds are generally made from one of three materials: acrylic, vinyl or silicone. Each has their pros and cons..

Acrylic Molds

Acrylic molds have been around the longest. Hard and durable, they are resistant to shrinking and breakage, and are the easiest to repair or re-mold. Acrylic molds are simple to insert and remove and easily cleaned using mild detergents. Their biggest disadvantage is their lack of flexibility. They can be difficult to place into narrow or small ear canals, especially those of children. Acrylic molds are also prone to sound leakage and feedback, particularly when the jaw is in motion (e.g., chewing).

Vinyl Molds

Vinyl molds are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and fall in the middle in terms of hardness. They are softer than acrylic molds, making them a better choice for children and older individuals as are fairly easy to insert. A better seal translates to clearer sound for high-gain musical instruments. On the down side, vinyl molds tend to shrink, harden and discolor over time; they also need to be replaced more often. Because of the manufacturing process, which involves boiling in a saline solution, vinyl molds are not recommended for people with allergies.

Silicone Molds

Silicone molds are the softest of all varieties. They are extremely flexible and comfortable, provide a tight seal for excellent sound quality and protection, and are very durable. They maintain their shape and size over time and are available in a variety of bright colors and designs, as well as flesh-colored tones. Their flexibility and softness can also be disadvantages; silicone molds are difficult to insert, especially when new, and are a poor choice for individuals with soft or flaccid ears.

Call Advanced Hearing & Balanced Specialist for more information or to schedule an appointment.