Ear Plugs, Ear Defenders and Ear Filters
On April 6th this 2008 the allowable decibels were further reduced
- make sure you know the rules. For legal definitions check out
the UK Government's Health and Safety website. www.hse.gov.uk/noise
Looking after your hearing is something
we all need to do better; noise pollution is increasing all the
time. We over expose ourselves in many elements of our life.
In reality it is impossible (and unhealthy) to avoid activities
because of the effect of loud noises. Why should we? People love
their favourite band playing live, the buzz of listening to fast
cars, loud music, your favourite movie and more. Life is about
balance in every way. However look after your ears – you
will only ever get two of them!
If you are employed in a noisy environment where the sound output
is 85dB(A) your employer is legally obliged to offer you hearing
protection in the form of earplugs or ear defenders. If the noise output is 90 dB(A)or higher it is compulsory
for your employer to not only offer you effective hearing protection
but to ensure that it is worn.
If you are going into a noisy environment in your own time such
as a pub, club or sporting venue where currently the law doesn't
legislate, it's up to you to protect
yourself.
If you're a clubber there are things you can do:
- Don't stand near
to loudspeakers.
- Give your ears regular breaks away from the source
of the music.
- Wear hearing protection the whole time you are in
the club.
- Limit your visits to club venues.
If you're a musician in a band playing regularly you should protect
your hearing, bear in mind that hearing damage is a consequence
of time as well as volume so you should wear hearing protection
even during rehersals when you might not think you need it.
When should I wear ear plugs?
If you are exposed to excessively noisy environments (80 dB or more), you should
wear hearing protectors. You should also wear them when you are using power tools,
noisy yard equipment, or firearms. The table below shows how easy it is to exceed
maximum exposure levels.
Level of noise in dB(A) |
Maximum daily exposure time |
85 |
8 hours |
91 |
2 hours |
97 |
30 minutes |
103 |
7 minutes |
Being exposed to noise can also cause fatigue and irritability
Some noise level examples (estimates)
Noise level |
Unprotected |
Protected |
60dB |
Speech |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
70dB |
Office |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
85dB |
Busy traffic |
8 hours |
Unlimited |
91dB |
Pub |
2 hours |
64 hours |
100dB |
Factory |
15 minutes |
8 hours |
106dB |
Nightclub |
4 minutes |
2 hours |
115dB |
Jackhammer |
30 seconds |
15 minutes |
140dB |
Gunshot |
None |
1.5 minutes |
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Custom Moulded Ear Filters
Manufactured from soft durable silicon; comfort, protection and
the ability to hear without distortion make the Elacin ER range
the ultimate in hearing protection. The concept of any custom made
item is its individuality and uniqueness to its user. The ER9/15/25
range is no exception and user acceptance is very high.
>> MORE
INFO AND TO BUY
ER20
Elacin standard fit Audio Armour
The
ER-20 was developed for musicians so they could safely protect
their hearing without compromising their performance. Now you can
enjoy these benefits too – whether you’re clubbing,
mowing the lawn, using power tools or just want to shut
out noisy neighbors, ER20's will help you avoid the irreversible
long term effects of hearing loss.
>> MORE
INFO AND TO BUY
Unique Hearing protection for all occasions.
Audio Relief offers a range of specialist earplug / ear-defender
solutions:
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The iPod generation: protection is here
We’ve pretty much all got an MP3 player now and most of
us frequently listen at a higher than recommended volume to combat
outside noises – the tube, the train, the traffic.
Audio relief sell a range of Ear phones
that offer a superior listening experience and allow you to listen
at a lower and safer volume. By using custom moulded or adaptable
moulds you take the sound closer to the ear drum and create a
seal from the outside.
>> MORE
INFO AND TO BUY
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