Audio Help Hearing Centers provides custom hearing protection in New York. Our audiology clinics are conveniently located in Manhattan (Chelsea Village, Columbus Circle, and Park Avenue), with additional offices in Scarsdale, NY (Westchester County), and Stamford, CT.
Protecting your hearing is very important because not taking care of your ears can hurt your life at home and at work. Many people get hearing damage at their jobs, and sometimes it takes years to notice.
There are different ways to protect your ears from loud sounds. You can use earplugs, over-ear headphones, or special custom hearing protectors. These devices make loud sounds quieter so they don’t hurt your ears. By using hearing protection, you can keep your hearing safe and strong. Your audiologist can help you choose the best kind of protection based on how loud the noise is where you are.
Noise-induced hearing loss
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) happens when you hear loud sounds for a long time or just once. These loud noises hurt the tiny hairs in your inner ears, and once they are damaged, you can’t hear as well anymore. Concerts, loud restaurants, sirens, and listening to music too loudly can cause this.
When you hear sounds above 85 decibels, like from power tools, lawnmowers, traffic, or even loud earbuds, it can damage your hearing. Very loud sounds, like a gunshot at 140 decibels, can cause immediate hearing loss.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that about 22 million American workers are at risk of NIHL. Noisy places can be anywhere, but jobs in factories, construction sites, utilities, and mining are especially risky.
Certain chemicals can also harm your hearing. These include mercury, lead, toluene, and carbon monoxide.
If you already have hearing loss, you can still protect your hearing from getting worse. Wearing ear protection at work and in noisy places can help.
If you work or have worked in a loud place, you should get a hearing test every year to check if the noise has affected your hearing.
Types of Hearing Protection
Hearing protection comes in different styles to keep your ears safe from loud noises. You can use disposable foam earplugs, which you throw away after one use. There are also over-ear headphones that cover your ears completely. Earmuffs are another option that fit snugly over your ears. For a perfect fit, you can get custom hearing protection made just for your ears.
Ready-made Hearing Protection
Ready-made hearing protection means ear protection devices that you can buy and use right away. They are already made and don’t need any special fitting. These devices help to lower the volume of sounds or block them out completely, which keeps your ears safe from loud noises that can hurt your hearing or cause discomfort.
Common examples of ready-made hearing protection include:
Earplugs
Earplugs are small devices that you can put into your ear canal to block or reduce noise. They are often made from materials like foam or silicone. Earplugs come in different shapes and sizes to fit different ears. People use earplugs to protect their hearing in noisy places, like concerts or construction sites, or to help them sleep better in a noisy environment.
Earmuffs
Earmuffs are devices that cover your ears with cushioned cups to block out noise. They create a physical barrier around your ears to reduce sound. Earmuffs usually have an adjustable band that goes over your head, but some can be attached to a helmet. They are great for protecting your ears from loud noises, whether you’re working with loud machinery or enjoying a loud event.
Custom Hearing Protection
Custom hearing protection is made just for your ears. It fits perfectly because it’s molded to the shape of your ear canal. This makes it more comfortable and effective than regular earplugs.
Custom Ear Plugs
Custom hearing protection means special ear devices made just for your ears. Unlike the ones you can buy at the store, these are shaped to fit your ears perfectly. This makes them more comfortable to wear and helps them work better at protecting your hearing.
Impulse Filter Earplugs
Impulse filter earplugs help reduce sudden loud noises while letting you hear regular sounds clearly. These earplugs are great for musicians, workers in noisy places, and people who enjoy shooting sports. They have special filters that lower high-impact sounds like gunshots or loud machines, but you can still hear what’s going on around you.
Sleep Plugs
Sleep plugs are special earplugs made to help you sleep better at night. They are soft and safe for your skin. These plugs block out noises like street sounds, snoring, and other disturbances. This makes your sleep quieter and more peaceful. With sleep plugs, you can enjoy a deeper and uninterrupted sleep, waking up feeling more rested and refreshed.
In-Ear Monitors
In-ear monitors (IEMs) are small earphones made for musicians, audio experts, and people who really love great sound. These earphones fit nicely inside your ear canal and give you clear, high-quality sound. Musicians often use them on stage because IEMs block out other noises, letting them hear their music perfectly. They are also great for anyone who wants to enjoy their music with amazing sound quality every day.
Hearing Protection For All Lifestyles and Activities
Hearing protection is very important for keeping your ears healthy in many different activities and lifestyles.
Whether you work in a loud place, love going to concerts, race cars, or just want some peace and quiet, there are many kinds of hearing protection to fit your needs.
HUNTING
These earmuffs are perfect for hunters and people who enjoy shooting. They protect your ears from loud gunfire but also let you hear quieter sounds better. This way, you can stay aware of what’s happening around you while keeping your ears safe.
MUSIC
Musician earplugs are made to keep the music clear while making it quieter. They are great for people who play music or love listening to it. These earplugs help you hear all the different sounds in the music without making it too loud. They are perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy music safely.
SWIMMING
These earplugs are made to keep water out of your ears. They fit snugly, so swimmers and people doing water activities won’t get water in their ears. This helps stop ear infections and keeps your ears from feeling uncomfortable.
SLEEP
If you want peaceful sleep or relaxation, custom-molded earplugs are a great choice. They are made to fit your ears perfectly, blocking out background noise. This helps you have a quiet environment without the bulk of regular earmuffs. Custom earplugs are comfortable and effective, making it easier to rest or relax.
OCCUPATIONAL
High-fidelity earplugs are great for people who work with loud machines, like construction workers, and those who enjoy do-it-yourself projects. These earplugs help reduce noise without making sounds unclear or distorted. You can still hear what’s happening around you while keeping your ears safe from loud sounds.
Types of Custom Ear Molds
Earmolds are special pieces made to fit perfectly in your ears. They can be used with hearing aids, communication devices, or professional audio gear. These earmolds are shaped to match the unique curves of your ear, making them comfortable and secure. Musicians often use custom earmolds for in-ear monitors to hear themselves better or to protect their hearing during concerts.
Vinyl
Vinyl earmolds are special parts made from a material called vinyl. These parts are used to help protect your ears or make communication easier. Earmolds are custom-made to fit the exact shape of your ear, so they are very comfortable to wear. You can use them with hearing aids, two-way radios, or to block out loud noises.
Silicone
Silicone custom ear molds are personalized earpieces crafted from silicone material to fit the unique contours of an individual’s ear. These custom molds offer a comfortable and secure fit, making them suitable for various applications, including hearing protection, communication devices, and in-ear monitors for musicians.
Acrylic
Acrylic custom ear molds are personalized earpieces crafted from acrylic material to provide a tailored fit for an individual’s ear. These molds are commonly used for a variety of applications, including hearing protection, in-ear monitors for musicians, and accessories for communication devices.
Custom Ear Protection in New York
Selecting the right hearing protection based on your lifestyle and activities is crucial for maintaining auditory health. Whether you opt for custom solutions or reliable ready-made options, prioritize comfort and effectiveness to safeguard your hearing in various environments.
For more information about our available hearing protection in New York, give us a call at any of our key locations.
Audio Help Hearing has three New York City audiology clinics conveniently located in Manhattan (Chelsea Village, Columbus Circle, and Park Avenue) and additional offices in Scarsdale, NY (Westchester County), and Stamford, CT.