What Hobbies Require Ear Protection

Protecting your ears might not be something you think about often, but it’s essential if you want to reduce the risk of hearing loss and tinnitus later in life. Many people know to wear ear protection when around loud equipment, like drills or at concerts with high-volume music. However, there are also some everyday hobbies that can impact your hearing health, where ear protection is just as important. Activities like shooting, playing music and do-it-yourself (DIY) projects are events that can expose you to harmful noise levels. Wearing the right ear protection can help keep your hearing sharp and healthy for years to come.

Shooting Range

If you enjoy going to the shooting range to practice, it’s essential to wear hearing protection like earmuffs or earplugs. Gunshots can be extremely loud at close range, often reaching up to 140 decibels. Since hearing loss can occur at sounds around 70 decibels with prolonged exposure, protecting your ears at the range is critical. Regular shooters should consider speaking to an audiologist about custom-fitted hearing protection.

Playing Music

If you’ve ever noticed your ears ringing after listening to your favorite playlist or after a concert, it probably means the music was too loud. At home, you can easily protect your ears by turning down the volume. But in live music venues, you’ll need to take additional steps to protect your hearing. Wearing earplugs or earmuffs, specifically designed for music settings, lets you enjoy the show while lowering the noise to a safer level. Since some concerts can reach volumes over 110 decibels, wearing hearing protection can make a big difference in protecting your ears for the future.

Swimming

When going swimming, you’re probably more focused on packing a nose plug and goggles than earplugs. When you swim, water can sometimes enter the ear canal, which may increase the risk of infections like swimmer’s ear. To keep your ears comfortable and healthy, wearing earplugs designed for swimming can help prevent water from getting in. Foam earplugs or custom-molded options are great choices for a secure and comfortable fit, your audiologist will help you to choose the right protection for your needs. By taking this simple step, you can enjoy swimming while keeping your ears protected and free from potential discomfort.

DIY

If you enjoy DIY projects, it’s important to consider ear protection, especially when using loud tools. Many common tools, like power drills, saws, and sanders, can produce noise levels that are harmful to your hearing over time. Even if you’re only using these tools for short periods, repeated exposure to loud sounds can cause damage to the delicate parts of your ears. Wearing earmuffs or noise-canceling headphones while working on your projects can help protect your hearing and prevent potential damage to your hearing.

If you have a hobby that makes a lot of noise, it would be a good idea to speak to your audiologist about hearing protection. They will be able to find the right hearing protection for you. If you want to learn more about your hearing health schedule an appointment with an audiologist.