Hearing protection is crucial for preventing hearing damage caused by exposure to loud noises, also known as noise-induced hearing loss. However, many misconceptions about hearing protection still exist, causing numerous people to forego protection even when the situation calls for it. In this blog post, we'll debunk the most common myths about hearing protection!
Myth #1: Hearing loss only affects older people
Hearing loss affects people of all ages and is increasingly common among children and young adults. Only 35% of people with hearing loss are 65 or older.
Myth #2: Only extremely loud sounds can cause hearing damage
Even moderately loud sounds (from 80 dB) can gradually cause hearing damage, especially with frequent and/or prolonged exposure.
Myth #3: A few seconds of noise can't damage your hearing
Whilst noise-induced hearing loss is usually the result of cumulative exposure to loud sounds over time, just one gunshot, explosion, or other sudden, loud noise can be enough to cause hearing loss.
Myth #4: Your ears can get used to loud sounds
It's impossible for your ears to "get used to" loud sounds. If you feel you can tolerate loud music better than before, it's probably because you've already sustained hearing damage.
Myth #5: If sound doesn't bother you, you don't need hearing protection
Just because you don't find a sound disturbing or think you're used to it doesn't mean it can't cause hearing damage. Noise-induced hearing loss usually develops over an extended period. You typically won't notice damage occurring until it's too late and nothing can be done about it. Even if you know that volumes above 80 dB are harmful, it's impossible to accurately gauge sound levels by ear alone. Try downloading a decibel metre app to discover what volume levels you're exposed to daily – you might be surprised!
Myth #6: If you don't experience pain, ringing, or tinnitus, your hearing isn't damaged
There are several indicators of hearing damage, including:
- Ringing in your ears
Almost everyone has experienced ringing in their ears after a concert or party. Whilst it usually disappears within 24 to 48 hours, the damage to your hearing remains.
- Tinnitus
is a condition where you hear a sound (usually constantly) that isn't actually there. This can be a ringing, rushing, buzzing, whistling, or pulsing sound.
- Ear pain
For humans, the pain threshold for sound is around 140 dB. primarily occurs with acute acoustic trauma, such as from a loud explosion.
- Muffled sounds
Whilst muffled sounds can result from a bad cold or ear canal inflammation, they can also be a symptom of hearing damage.
- Fatigue
With hearing loss, you need to exert more effort to follow conversations and identify and distinguish other sounds. Many people with hearing damage therefore experience increased fatigue.
- Hypersensitivity to certain sounds
Though it may seem contradictory, many people with hearing loss become extra sensitive to loud sounds.
Even if you've never experienced any of the symptoms mentioned above, it's still possible that you've sustained hearing damage.
Myth #7: You don't need hearing protection if you already have hearing loss
If you know you've already sustained some hearing damage, you might feel less motivated to protect your hearing. However, wearing hearing protection becomes even more important to prevent further damage.
Myth #8: Your hearing can heal
Unlike other cells in the human body, the hair cells in the inner ear cannot divide and multiply. Other types of cells in the inner ear cannot convert into hair cells either. In other words: damaged hair cells cannot repair themselves, meaning hearing damage is irreversible.
Myth #9: Hearing loss is inevitable
Prevention is better than cure, and since hearing damage cannot be repaired, prevention is crucial. Hearing loss can have various causes, including genetic predisposition, ageing, use of certain medications, and exposure to loud sounds. Whilst some causes cannot be prevented, noise-induced hearing loss can be!
Myth #10: Hearing loss doesn't affect your overall health
Excessive exposure to loud noise has long been associated with cardiovascular diseases and cerebral dysfunction. A on the systemic health effects of noise exposure revealed that noise also affects other vital organs. This occurs partly through its impact on the sympathetic nervous system, which triggers the release of stress hormones.
Additionally, untreated hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline, dementia, social isolation, and depression. There's a theory that the 'cognitive load' of hearing loss on the brain negatively impacts other brain functions, such as short-term memory.
Myth #11: Hearing protection causes ear infections
Many people think wearing earplugs leads to ear infections, but this isn't true. As long as you clean your earplugs regularly (for example, with for earplugs), you don't need to worry about this.
Myth #12: Earplugs can damage your eardrum
Earplugs are designed to protect your hearing safely. They feature smart design elements: rounded shapes and soft materials that adapt to your ear canal. Alpine even offers oval earplugs that follow your ear canal's shape for a better fit.
Only if you were to force earplugs very deep with considerable force could you damage your eardrum. But don't worry: if you insert them gently as indicated, there's nothing to worry about!
Tips for safe use:
- Check the insertion instructions
- Don't force them when inserting
- Use disposable plugs only once (like foam earplugs)
- Keep reusable plugs clean
Myth #13: You can't hear anything with hearing protection
Some people don't wear hearing protection because they think they won't be able to hear anything. This is a misconception! There's an important difference between earplugs with and without filters. Our filtered earplugs, such as festival earplugs, motorcycle earplugs, or music earplugs, are specially designed so you can still communicate. You can hear important sounds like conversations, traffic signals, or singing clearly, whilst harmful noise is dampened.
Non-filtered earplugs, like our SoftSilicone earplugs, provide good dampening but aren't designed to filter sound and therefore reduce all sounds. They're perfect for other situations, like sleeping or swimming.
Moreover, it's technically impossible to block all sound . This is because sound vibrations enter through two paths: via the air in your ear canal (air conduction) and through your skull (bone conduction).
Myth #14: Using noise-cancelling earbuds is sufficient for hearing protection
Headphones, AirPods, or earbuds with noise cancelling are not the same as hearing protection.
First, it's important to understand the difference between passive noise cancelling and active noise cancelling.
- Passive noise cancelling (PNC) reduces ambient noise through design. In-ear earphones seal your ear canal, and over-ear headphones cover your entire ear, reducing ambient sounds.
- Active noise cancelling (ANC) products are equipped with microphones that detect ambient sounds and generate counter-sound ('anti-noise') based on this input – sound waves that are the opposite of the ambient noise. This effectively neutralises ambient sounds.
Whilst noise-cancelling products reduce the impact of ambient sound, the reduction is usually not sufficient to optimally protect your hearing. Moreover, active noise cancelling cannot protect your hearing from sudden and explosive sounds.
Myth #15: Earplugs distort music
Not wearing hearing protection at concerts and festivals because you think the music won't sound good with earplugs? Choose ! Our PartyPlug Pro earplugs feature special filters that reduce volume without distorting the music. also guarantee safe sound reduction without compromising music quality.
Myth #16: A hearing aid corrects your hearing loss
If you're short- or long-sighted, your vision can usually be fully corrected with glasses or contact lenses. However, a hearing aid cannot correct noise-induced hearing loss. Whilst a hearing aid can improve the detection and distinction between different sounds, it's impossible to restore normal hearing. The hair cells necessary to process the sounds amplified by a hearing aid no longer function.