Safeguarding Hearing
In today's loud world, it is important to protect the hearing that you have. Too often we see patients come in with noise-induced hearing loss which could have been prevented.
A National Institutes of Health (NIH) survey found that about 24% of adults aged 20-69 had features characteristic of noise-induced hearing loss in one or both ears. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 22 million employees in the United States are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work each year. Don't be another statistic.
We are constantly in the presence of loud sounds. This does not mean you should discontinue activities that you enjoy. Instead, you should take the necessary precautions to protect your hearing.
Noise Warning Signs & Tips
How Do I Know Something is Too Loud?
Headphone Leakage
Someone else can hear the sound coming out of your headphones.
Dampened Hearing or Ringing
You leave noisy situations and your hearing is dampened or you have ringing in your ears.
Pain After Noise Exposure
Your ears hurt after being around loud noises.
Tips to Protect Your Hearing
Take Breaks
Take breaks from noisy activities every hour or so.
Wear Hearing Protection
Use appropriate hearing protection whenever possible.
Avoid Unnecessary Noise
Reduce exposure to unnecessary noise whenever possible.
How Golden Ears Audiology Lakeway Can Help
Hearing protection is your best defense against noise-induced hearing loss. We offer custom ear plugs for a more comfortable and discreet fit. We take impressions of your ear canals and you get to pick the color and style of the plugs.
If you are concerned about existing hearing damage, schedule a comprehensive hearing evaluation to establish a baseline. Already experiencing hearing loss? Learn about hearing aid options and the benefits of treating hearing loss early.
Hearing Protection FAQ
Custom earplugs are molded to your ear canals for a secure, comfortable fit that stays in place during activity. They provide consistent noise reduction and can be designed for specific uses—musicians, hunters, industrial workers—while allowing speech frequencies through when needed. Foam plugs work in a pinch but tend to block all sound equally and can be uncomfortable over extended wear.
Anyone regularly exposed to loud environments: musicians and concert-goers, hunters and sport shooters, construction and industrial workers, motorsport enthusiasts, and swimmers prone to ear infections. If you attend loud events even occasionally, protection prevents cumulative damage that adds up over time.
No. Once the hair cells in the inner ear are damaged by noise exposure, they do not regenerate. That is why prevention through hearing protection is critical. If you suspect existing damage, a hearing test can identify the extent of any loss and guide next steps.