How Can We Protect Our Hearing?

Written By Barclay Winter

Whether you're heading to a music festival, working with power tools, or enjoying a noisy sport or hobby, your hearing is worth protecting. Hearing loss from loud sound exposure is one of the most preventable—and unfortunately, one of the most common—health issues worldwide. The good news? With the right tools and habits, you can continue doing what you love without putting your ears at risk.

Does Loud Noise Really Cause Hearing Loss?

Yes—but how much damage is done depends on how loud the sound is, how long you're exposed, and whether you're using hearing protection.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the safe noise exposure limit is 85 decibels (dB) over 8 hours. But for every 3 dB increase in volume, the safe exposure time is halved. That means the louder the noise, the faster damage occurs.


Noise Levels and Safe Exposure Times

The National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) recommends a safe noise exposure limit of 85 dB over eight hours. To put this into perspective, 85 dB is roughly the level of a hairdryer. A general rule of thumb is that for every 3 dB increase in volume, the safe exposure time is halved. Here is a quick reference guide:

How Loud Sounds Damage Our Hearing

Inside your cochlea (inner ear) are thousands of tiny, fragile hair cells. These cells convert sound vibrations into electrical signals your brain can understand. Loud sounds can damage or destroy these cells—and once they’re gone, they don’t regenerate. That means noise-induced hearing loss is permanent and cumulative.

You might not notice hearing loss immediately. Often, early signs include:

  • Muffled hearing

  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

  • Difficulty following conversations in noise



Protecting Your Hearing: What Works

You don't need to give up your hobbies or avoid live events—just take a few practical steps to protect your ears:

  • Keep Your Distance

    The further you are from the source of the sound (e.g. speakers, engines, machinery), the less intense it will be. Even a few metres can make a big difference.

  • Take Listening Breaks

    If you're somewhere loud for an extended period, take breaks in quieter areas to let your ears rest. This gives the hair cells in your ears time to recover.

  • Use Hearing Protection That Matches the Situation

  • Foam Earplugs

    • Widely available and inexpensive

    • Block out sound effectively, but reduce clarity of speech or music

    • Good for one-off events or emergency use

  • Filtered (High-Fidelity) Earplugs

    • Designed for music lovers, musicians, DJs, and concertgoers

    • Reduce harmful noise without distorting sound

    • Available in universal fit or custom-moulded versions

  • Earmuffs

    • Fit over the ear and provide high levels of protection

    • Great for outdoor work, power tools, and children in noisy areas

    • Available in different grades (NRR/SNR ratings) for different noise levels

  • Electronic Cut-Off Earmuffs

    • Allow you to hear normal conversation and ambient sounds

    • Automatically "cut off" harmful noise like machinery or gunfire

      • Ideal for:

      • Shooting ranges

      • Construction work

      • Motorbike riding

      • Parenting in noisy spaces

    Some models include Bluetooth so you can take calls or listen to music safely

  • Double Protection Tip: In extremely noisy environments (e.g. gun ranges, industrial settings), wearing earplugs and earmuffs together provides maximum safety.

If you are interested in discussing custom earplugs or feel that your hearing has been affected by loud events, get in touch with Barclay Winter Audiology today. Protect your ears so you can keep enjoying the music for years to come!

Barclay Winter
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Understanding & Managing Tinnitus