Hearing Protection & Ear Plugs
Book a Hearing TestUnfortunately, there are currently no universal standards to limit exposure to recreational noise, so at Hear Check, we are committed to educating families and young people on the risks of recreational noise and providing advice and services to manage these risks and protect precious young ears from irreversible hearing damage.
How much is too much?
How much noise is too much? It’s easy to think that noise levels would need to be painful before they could be damaging, but the reality is If your child is in a situation that requires people to raise their voices to be understood, then the noise level is probably too loud. Hearing damage from noise is cumulative, and the louder the sound and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk of damage.
Sound is measured in decibels(dB) and repeated or lengthy exposure to sounds at or above 85 dB- approximately the level of a vacuum cleaner – can cause hearing loss.
The table gives examples of various everyday sounds, the loudness, and the length of time we can safely be exposed to these sounds before permanent damage is likely to occur.
|
NOISE SOURCE |
LOUDNESS (dB) |
How long can you listen without protection? |
|
Jet take off |
130 |
0 minutes |
|
Ambulance siren |
109 |
Less than 2 minutes |
|
Personal music player at maximum volume |
106 |
3.75 minutes |
|
Music Concert |
103 |
7.5 minutes |
|
Riding a Motorcycle |
97 |
30 minutes |
Earmuffs for Children
There is a huge range of earmuff options to suit children head sizes and needs nowadays and Hear Check can advise and provide the most suitable option for your growing child and their noise protection requirements.
Custom Ear Plugs
Hear Check Custom ear plugs are made from a mould of the shape of each individual ear. They are a comfortable and long wearing option suited to a range of applications from noise protection, sealing against water for swimming and bathing, and filtering sound for music practise.
The success of a custom ear plug is all down to the expertise of the clinician taking the mould of your child’s ear and the placement of the device. Our success rate at Hear Check is second to none, and in addition to precise mould taking, we help you and your child understand how to get the right placement and protection every time.
For Swimming
If your child has chronic ear infections, grommets, or ear drum perforations, then keeping water out of the ears, even during bathing, is a must to prevent infection. Swimming is usually not recommended for these children, but if it is imperative, then a custom ear plug solution is the best way to keep their ears free of water. Hear Check swim plugs will provide the precise protection needed, come in a range of colours, and even can float to make finding them much easier if dropped in the water.
For Noise and Music
If your child is exposed to loud noises at home e.g. lawn mowing, power tools, or as part of your (or their) hobbies e.g. motor sports, shooting, etc, then a custom ear plugs can be an easy, portable and comfortable protective solution.
A budding musician’s ears are their most valuable asset and they need special protection. If your child regularly plays in a band or orchestra, then protection from loud sound levels, but also transparency of sound without distortion is required. A customised ear plug solution, including specific filters can provide this. Customised musicians’ earplugs are different from a traditional plug for noise protection in that they are designed to replicate natural sound but still offer protection when needed and can be ordered with different attenuation levels to suit.
For sensory sensitivities
At Hear Check, we understand that for some children, such as those with ASD, loud noises can be quite overwhelming, and the use of ear plugs may be therapeutically recommended to help with their sound sensitivities. Our experienced paediatric audiologists can provide the right ear protection ensuring the process is completed with care and sensitivity to your child’s individual needs. Before any ear plugs are used for sound sensitivities, it is ESSENTIAL to have your child fully assessed by a Hear Check Audiologist.
Wearing ear plugs can limit the amount of language your child receives which could cause further issues around acquiring literacy and developing sound auditory processing. Some sound sensitivities can be caused by fluctuating hearing loss, undiagnosed ear infections and auditory processing disorders. Hear Check’s Audiologists can provide the expert advice and detail regarding what might be occurring for your child.