Cook Hearing and Balance
  • BOOK ONLINE
  • HOME
  • SERVICES
    • Hearing Tests
    • Tinnitus Therapy
    • Balance
  • HEARING AIDS
    • Hearing Aid Styles
    • Browse Hearing Aids
    • Troubleshooting
  • ABOUT US
    • Elizabeth Sperino, Au.D.
    • Candace Johnson, Au.D.
    • Emily Thompson, Au.D.
    • Our Reviews
    • Why Choose Us?
  • SHOP
  • LOCATION & CONTACT
  • BOOK ONLINE
  • HOME
  • SERVICES
    • Hearing Tests
    • Tinnitus Therapy
    • Balance
  • HEARING AIDS
    • Hearing Aid Styles
    • Browse Hearing Aids
    • Troubleshooting
  • ABOUT US
    • Elizabeth Sperino, Au.D.
    • Candace Johnson, Au.D.
    • Emily Thompson, Au.D.
    • Our Reviews
    • Why Choose Us?
  • SHOP
  • LOCATION & CONTACT

Cook Hearing and Balance Blog

September 15, 2013 In Articles, Featured

Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss at Work and Play

Benjamin Franklin got it right when he said “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Just as you would take preventative measures to protect yourself from heart disease or diabetes, it pays to protect yourself from occupational hearing loss and hearing problems caused by exposure to loud music, power motors, and sport weapons.

Industrial workplace noises, gunfire, loud music, and other common, everyday sounds that are louder than 85 decibels can cause permanent hearing loss. Just how loud is 85 decibels? Take a look at these decibel ratings and permissible exposure times provided by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (NIOSH)

Intensities of Common Sounds in Decibels

Sounds Intensities Permissible exposure time
City traffic, inside the car 85 dB 8 hours
Bulldozer 88 dB 4 hours
Jazz concert 91 dB 2 hours
Power mower 94 dB 1 hour
Nightclub 97 dB 30 minutes
Ambulance siren, inside
driver window down
100 dB 15 minutes
Rock concert, leaf blower 115 dB 30 seconds
Ambulance 125 dB
Jet from 100 feet 135 dB
Gun shot 145 dB
12-gauge Shotgun 165 dB

 

Who Needs Ear Protection at Work – YOU
According to the NIOSH, approximately 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work, causing an estimated $242 million per year to be spent on worker’s compensation due to hearing loss disability. As a result NIOSH recommends “all worker exposures to noise be controlled below a level equivalent to 85 dBA for eight hours to minimize occupational noise induced hearing loss. NIOSH also recommends a 3 dBA exchange rate so that every increase by 3 dBA doubles the amount of the noise and halves the recommended amount of exposure time.”

Additionally, NIOSH recommends a hearing loss prevention program that includes the use of hearing protection devices, periodic hearing tests and education for workers, along with administrative controls that include accurate record keeping, evaluations and audits.

Hearing loss doesn’t have to happen to you.

Now is the time to let hearing aids improve your hearing loss!

Ear Protection for Hunters
Hunting requires one to have the ability to hear very soft sounds, while still protecting the ear from the peak noise levels of a shot gun blast. Fortunately, hunters have many options for protection. Not only can they choose from custom or over-the-counter ear plugs or ear muffs, they can also choose protection devices that provide amplification, while reducing the sounds of gunfire to a safe level.

Ear Protection for Musicians
Professional musicians work in a high-decibel environment in which hearing loss, tinnitus, hyper-sensitivity to sound and sound distortion can result. Traditional earplugs will not work for the professional musician, as they reduce sound by muffling low-to-mid-range frequencies. Special musicians ear molds are available that can protect the musician’s ears from loud sounds without distorting what they hear. Many products are available that will even enhance the music experience.

Musician’s earplugs are a custom product, made individually for each user. Musicians practice and perform in a variety of different settings. They are exposed to high levels of sound, sometimes for long periods, and may require different amounts of protection depending on sound levels encountered during rehearsals and performance. Some musicians use one type of attenuator in one ear and one type in the other, depending on the source and location of the sound. The benefits of using musician’s earplugs include:

  • Reduces sound levels evenly so that music and speech are clear and natural, not muffled as with other earplugs.
  • Reduces risk of hearing damage for many noisy occupations and noisy venues, such as airshows, parades, athletic events and motor sports.
  • Enhances the music experience for audiences while protecting hearing.
  • Lets musicians hear their own instrument, as well as fellow musicians, more comfortably.

Ear Protection for Recreational Shooters
Up to 50% of all recreational shooters may suffer some degree of hearing loss of some kind. It is generally thought that loud noises in excess of 90 decibels are harmful to hearing over prolonged exposure. Most gunfire exceeds 130 decibels and requires reliable, quality hearing protection. Using ear protection can prevent needless and permanent damage to hearing.

Electronic earplugs enhance the sounds around you. For example, you can hear game movement while also reducing impulse sounds, such as gunfire, down to a safe level. This helps prevent damage to your hearing. Electronic earplugs are available in custom molds, as well as standard, less expensive alternatives.

Electronic Noise Suppression
These custom devices allow for normal hearing unless until a sudden loud sound is present. These devices will compress the sound to protect your hearing from sudden impact noise sources. This is the ideal option for either the hunter or shooter.

Ear Protection for Law Enforcement
If you are involved in law enforcement you undoubtedly know how important your sense of hearing is to being effective on the job. You may also have experienced a situation where firing your weapon has temporarily reduced your ability to hear. And if it hasn’t already happened, there may be a future situation where your partner or a member of your team will be forced to fire their weapon in close proximity or in a confined area. The potential damage to your hearing could be severe and could result in irreversible hearing loss.

Ear Protection at Industrial Sites
Loud, constant sounds all day long at work can cause long-term hearing problems. Loud, sudden noises (gunfire, industrial noises, woodworking, motorcycles, loud music, motorized lawn equipment, noisy hobbies and other noises louder than 90 db) are more damaging to hearing than regular and extended exposure to loud sounds over a period of time. When properly fitted, earplugs can significantly reduce loud noises and prevent hearing damage and loss. Hearing protectors not properly fitted to the wearer’s ears do not effectively prevent damaging noises from penetrating the ear canal.

Now is the time to let hearing aids improve your hearing loss.

Previous StoryCook Hearing & Balance Donates Hearing Aids Worth $7,000 to Austin Senior
Next StoryListening and Communication Enhancement Program

Categories

  • Communication
  • Education
    • Articles
      • Audiology
      • Hearing Aid Technology
      • Hearing Aids
      • Hearing Loss
      • Hearing Test
      • Tinnitus
    • Featured
  • Pediatrics
  • Uncategorized

Recent Posts

  • Healthy Hearing During the Holidays! December 28, 2019
  • Hearing Aid Accessory Series: Signia November 28, 2019
  • Hearing Aid Accessory Series: Phonak November 12, 2019
  • Hearing Aid Accessory Series: ReSound September 19, 2019
  • Movie Theaters and Hearing Loss September 4, 2019
My Husband and I were very impressed with the service we received here and the professional of the doctors. We also were able to be scheduled for an appointment quickly vs other providers we contacted . Highly recommend this practice.
Jennifer Holt
Jennifer Holt
2020-01-27T16:36:17+0000
Cook Hearing and Balance are the greatest. Great customer service, friendly folks they really want to help and they'll help you hear your spouse. I moved near Waco, so what, I'll still use Cook.
Bert Van Natter
Bert Van Natter
2019-06-01T21:42:11+0000
Vey knowledgeable and friendly staff. Nice offices
Sean Payne
Sean Payne
2019-03-04T02:35:58+0000
BEST team ever. I have waited my whole life to hear like I did today walking out of this office. talk about a positive customer experience..it's not often that I rate someone as a perfect 10 but this office/firm truly CARES . if you have a hearing loss I totally recommended!!!
Susan Jones
Susan Jones
2018-09-14T03:07:15+0000
A friend advised me to reconsider purchasing my aids from a big box store because “service” is the most important part to achieving success in wearing hearing aids. I suffer from Endolymphatic Hydrops Menieres and the Resound aids that I purchased from Cook Hearing have given me my life back. I purchased my aids over 4 years ago and the continued personal service from Lori and her staff exceeds my expectations. I recommend you get a quote from Cook Hearing before you buy from the big box stores.
Charlotte Younger Lovell
Charlotte Younger Lovell
2018-05-10T17:32:19+0000
I came into to Cook Hearing and Balance a few weeks ago to get my old set of hearing aids repaired. I decided to get a test done and found that my hearing was worst then I thought. I worked with Alyssa and she was phenomenal! I just got my new hearing aids and can’t believe the deference. The office staff to the billing ladies were fantastic and so easy to work with. I can’t thank them enough may God bless each of them !
Ricky Paz
Ricky Paz
2018-03-22T22:32:04+0000
I just purchased my first pair of hearing aids at Cook hearing. The person who worked with me over a period of weeks is Doctor Elizabeth Sperino. From the beginning it became evident to me that Doctor Sperino is both professional and very, very easy to work with—a nice combination. Even though she is in business she truly wants to do what is best for her clients. She goes the extra mile, spends the time needed and listens. It’s also nice to see the joy in her work—her joy in her field and her joy in solving her client’s problems. And here I haven’t even mentioned Lori Cook the owner. She has established a business that is very service and benefit oriented. This enables Cook Hearing to successfully compete with the big box stores. She has a very loyal clientele and many repeat customers that are made to feel like family. And I would be remiss not to mention the office staff. They continually demonstrate that same great attitude. So if you suspect you have hearing loss, don’t just buy a hearing aid. Give Cook Hearing an opportunity to show you the value they bring.
Jeff Smith
Jeff Smith
2017-03-09T23:28:37+0000
The staff at Cook Hearing is just phenomenal. The doctors are professional without being stiff and formal, and they are so understanding of the other life issues that come with hearing loss. Amy at the front desk is the sweetest and she always greets me by name when I arrive. Im so thankful to have found this place!! Love you guys!
Deborah Lambertson
Deborah Lambertson
2017-03-04T03:30:34+0000
Every team member at Cook Hearing has demonstrated true professionalism and each is committed to outstanding customer service. My personal experience is an unusual one, in that my hearing aid had been a difficult problem since day 1! I could simply not hear anything but 'loud' when the hearing aid was in place. Recently I was in to have it cleaned, and happened to mention to Amy that the little flexible tip that goes into the ear was causing actual physical discomfort. She opted to try different tips and found one that felt very comfortable for me. This would have been enough by itself...but not the end of the story. I can actually hear again! It seems that the overly large tip was acting as an ear plug and blocking actual sound from reaching my eardrum. Thank you, Amy! I have not complained, not even one time, about my hearing aid since!
Penny Wheat
Penny Wheat
2016-11-01T14:10:17+0000
Mary Geraci Simpson
Mary Geraci Simpson
2016-05-20T23:30:03+0000
Getting an accurate exam, expertly explained by Lori and Kristen, and then fitting hearing aids perfectly after my complaints, and adjusting how they work to suit my lifestyle....PRICELESS! Thank you!
Mary P Niewola
Mary P Niewola
2016-04-19T20:47:57+0000
Cook Hearing and Balance has been very accommodating to my 81 year old father and helped him through the hearing aid fitting process multiple times as his hearing has declined over the past several years. Lori Cook is very patient and explains herself well, being extra careful to speak slowly and in a lower tone so that my father can hear her and remain a part of the process. Kristen Armstrong has also been helpful with the ear mold process and was also very patient and helpful towards my father.
Chris Squibb
Chris Squibb
2016-01-29T15:03:39+0000
Tyner are the nicest people and Laurie is just the greatest. I highly recommendthis office for all you hearing needs.
Kathy Shirlene Leverett-Baker
Kathy Shirlene Leverett-Baker
2015-09-14T09:12:03+0000
Faith and I both were fitted for hearing aides. Everyone here is so nice and helpful.
Marcy Rng
Marcy Rng
2014-11-05T15:41:43+0000
Excellent service and very well trained staff who are there when you need advice. I am very much pleased with Ms. Lori and their office assistant.Bala-Krishnan
Cherumukkil Balakrishnan
Cherumukkil Balakrishnan
2014-11-05T15:18:36+0000
After working with Lori Cook at Cook Hearing and Balance for over three years, I can honestly say that I have FINALLY found the perfect place for me. My hearing loss is a very challenging one, and Lori has worked with me with the utmost of patience and professionalism until the very best hearing were fitted for me. I've always been unhappy with the results obtained from other companies: now I've found a home. I love her honesty and caring, and appreciate the lack of sales pressure. If you have a hearing problem go see Lori. She is GREAT and I highly recommend her.Al B
Alan Blunt
Alan Blunt
2014-03-19T23:27:53+0000
Mark Lawson
Mark Lawson
2014-03-17T16:37:03+0000
‹
›
 

Have a Story? Write a Us Review!

Ready to make a change?

Schedule Your Next Hearing Test!

Take your first step towards healthy hearing.
Sign Up Here

Have Questions?

A

Do you perform balance testing?

No. Currently, Cook Hearing and Balance does not provide balance testing services.

  • ABOUT US
  • LOCATION & CONTACT
  • FAQs
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • BLOG
  • SITEMAP

(512) 260-2665

Copyright ©2021 Cook Hearing and Balance