Question: What type of hearing protection is best when I’m near loud noise?
Answer: Hearing loss from hazardous noise levels is a serious health concern. More than 26 million U.S. adults have noise-induced hearing loss and the research is showing that even teens have evidence of early onset noise-induced hearing loss. There are many types of hearing protection devices available —the correct type is dependent upon the type of noise you are around, what you are doing in that noise (working, talking, etc.), and the size of your ear canal. At this point, the best advice is to raise awareness of noise risks around you for all concerned and to learn about your choices of hearing protection. Match the protection to your needs and ensure you’ve received appropriate instruction in how to use it. Lastly, don’t forget to verify that the protection fits well and is effective in the noise levels that you are in.