Hearing Protection Devices: Often Used To Prevent Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)
Hearing Protection Devices |
Hearing protection devices, such as earmuffs,
ear plugs, hearing bands, and uniform attenuation earplugs, are medical devices
that are worn in or over the ear when exposed to hazardous noise to help
prevent noise-induced hearing loss. These devices also help protect against
other effects of noise exposure such as hyperacusis and tinnitus. Different
types of hearing protection are available in the market that people can wear to
help reduce the impact of noisy environment and risk of developing
noise-induced hearing loss. Hearing protection is an essential part of
preventing hearing loss. These devices fit inside or over the ear canal to
block sound waves from entering the innermost parts of the ear.
Hearing
Protection Devices are extensively used
to prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). NIHL occurs when the sensitive
structures in the inner ear are damaged by loud sound, which may lead to a
permanent hearing loss. It can occur in both ears or in one and can be
temporary or permanent. In simple terms, NIHL is permanent damage to the tiny
hair cells of ears. Hearing protection devices assist in preventing sudden
noise-induced hearing impairment. These devices are not only designed for people
who work in industries, but also for people who frequently interact with loud
noises. Hearing protection devices are protective gears that can effectively
lessen the effects of hearing loss caused by exposure to loud noise.
These protective devices are available in
different forms and styles that are intended to fit any ear type. Electronic
hearing protection devices are designed to minimize or negate undesirable
noise. Non-electronic hearing protection devices, on the other hand, are those
that use structural and mechanical parts to minimize or negate noise-induced
hearing loss. These types of devices do not need electricity to work, and some
of them are completely wireless. However, in order for these devices to have
any worthwhile effect on people’s hearing impairment, they must be worn for an
extended period of time, several hours every day. Many people assume that
hearing aids just make sounds louder, but some hearing aids also reduce
background noise.
There are many kinds of hearing protection
devices in the market. Earmuffs are the smallest among all devices, while ear
plugs are typically used to protect ears from loud noises, foreign objects,
water, dust, etc. Ear Muffs are very easy to fit, but they normally offer less
protection than ear plugs. This is because they only sit over the ears, rather than
directly in the ear canal. Ear muffs and earplugs are the most commonly used
hearing protection devices, an incredibly effective way to prevent premature
hearing damage. Earplugs are useful for protecting ears against loud noises,
but many people use them to sleep. They can make a world of difference for
light sleepers or people who live in a noisy area.
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Hearing protection devices reduce the noise
exposure level and the risk of hearing loss when worn correctly. National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that workers
shall be required to wear hearing protectors when engaged in work that exposes
them to noise that equals or exceeds 85 dBA as an 8-hour TWA. Thus, there is an
increasing demand for hearing protection devices worldwide.
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