Protect Your Hearing

The best defence against noise-induced hearing loss is to stay out of hazardous noise areas. But if you have to spend any amount of time in a noisy environment, use hearing protection devices. The louder the noise is and the longer you are exposed to it, the greater the risk of damage to your hearing.

One of the most important things you can do is to protect your ears from excessive noise levels, particularly over long periods of time.
How to Protect Your Hearing:

• If you work in a noisy environment, you are protected by the law. Speak to your manager or employer about ways to protect your hearing. If your employer gives you ear protection, make sure you use it!
  
  
• If you regularly take part in sports or activities that are noisy such as shooting or motor sports remember to wear ear protection.
  
  
• Wear hearing protection, such as foam or silicone plugs or muffs. Foam plugs are available at your pharmacy while muffs and specialised ear protection can be purchased at sports stores or safety equipment stores.
  
  
• At home, turn down the volume on the television, radio, stereos and walkmans.
  
  
• Wear ear plugs or muffs when using loud equipment (i.e. lawn mowers, drills and saws).
  
  
• Buy quieter products (compare dB ratings - the smaller the better).
  
  
• Reduce the number of noisy appliances running at the same time in your personal environment.
  
  
• Avoid medications that can be dangerous to your hearing. Be sure to ask your doctor about possible effects on your hearing.

Remember: One-third of hearing loss is preventable with proper hearing protection.