WHAT? I CAN’T HEAR YOU! | Protect Your Hearing

Your hearing is important to you right? Of course it is, but too many people take it for granted. I went to a concert last night at a fairly small venue in Raleigh North Carolina. It was a hard rock/metal show so it was expected to be loud. For years I have told myself that I should wear some kind of hearing protection when I go to a show especially if it’s in a small place. I never do though because for one, I never buy ear plugs or I forget and two, it’s hard to find ones that are inconspicuous. Even with hearing protection at a loud event like a concert you can still hear everything just fine but it is still kind of embarrassing to be wearing ear plugs. I’m sure if you did you’d be glad at the end of the night when your ears aren’t ringing for the next 3 hours like mine were. Here are some examples of decibel levels.

• Threshold of hearing…………………0 dB
• Outdoors, no people or traffic……….20 dB
• Background noise in a library………..40 dB
• Ordinary speaking voice……………..60 dB
• Heavy traffic………………………85 dB
• Power lawnmower up close…………….90 dB
• Motorcycle (rider)………………….90 dB
• Chainsaw………………………….100 dB
• Rock music at concert………………110 dB
• Jet plane takeoff at 100 yards………120 dB
• Threshold of pain………………….140 dB

Noise levels of 85 Decibels and above are considered potential damaging to your hearing and over a period of time and increased exposure it can be permanent. Bottom line is that you should protect yourself. Prevention is the keys to longevity.

Decibel Source: http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/phy99/phy99405.htm

Image Source: Hearos.com  Hearos carries a variety of hearing protection to fit your lifestyle or occupation.