Your ears connect you to a world of sound. Exposed to too much of it, they can be damaged. Just as we use sunglasses to protect our eyes, we can use products to protect our ears. We want you to be informed about protecting your ears and your own hearing status, so we offer a complimentary hearing screening with every hearing protection consult.
Who Should Use Hearing Protection?
In our ever-increasingly noisy world, the short answer is: everyone! However, hearing protection is especially important for:
- Bartenders and club workers
- Concert-goers
- DJs and Musicians (see Musicians' Products)
- Hunters
- Industrial workers
- Motorsport enthusiasts
- Salon stylists
- Sporting event attendees
Some of us need to protect our ears not just from noise, but from water as well! The cold water of the Pacific Ocean, for example, can cause bony growths to sprout in the ear canal which can interfere with hearing. Others with a history of ear surgery need to stay dry. Custom products create a seal to keep the water out for:
- Children and adults with a history of middle ear surgery, including placement of tubes
- Patients with chronic ear infections
- Swimmers and Surfers
Your Hearing Protection Consult
There are so many options for hearing protection - styles, colors, noise reduction ratings, and costs. During your 30 minute hearing protection consult, we screen your hearing so you know your hearing status and have a baseline for the future. We discuss your needs, the types of environments you are in, and what you hope to gain from hearing protection. We then find the best solution for you. Depending on the results of the screening, we may also recommend a full audiologic evaluation (diagnostic hearing test).
Universal Fit vs. Custom Fit
Universal fit hearing protection is a one-size-fits-most solution, while custom fit hearing protection is made just for you. The general rule is that custom products create a better seal and therefore better protection from noise and water. The process for creating custom fit hearing protection is fun and easy: We use a soft silicone material to take an impression of your ear canals, and you select the colors and options (i.e., finish, glitter, initials). It takes 1-2 weeks for your order to arrive, at which point we see you again for a 15-minute appointment to confirm an excellent fit and go over proper use. All custom orders include a 90-day warranty to ensure your satisfaction.
A sample of ER-49 concert ear plugs, surfer's ear plugs, and sleep ear plugs customized by our patients.