FLEX AUDIOLOGY

Custom Ear Molds

Hearing Protection Is Critical To Hearing Health

Most people assume that hearing loss only affects the elderly. In reality, hearing challenges can affect anyone regardless of age.

Though age-deterioration is the most common cause of hearing loss, illnesses, ototoxic drugs and medications, head injuries, and birth defects also contribute to making hearing loss the third most common health condition in America. However, one of the most common causes of hearing loss is frequent and/or ongoing exposure to loud noise, leading to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).

Repeated exposure to sound levels above 85 decibels (the sound of an idling bulldozer) can cause permanent, irreparable hearing loss. As a point of perspective, hearing professionals consider exposure to loud music, either live or through headphones, to be particularly dangerous, with sound intensity sometimes reaching 100 to 115 decibels (dB).

While hearing loss is irreversible, it is preventable. Knowledge, hearing protection, and prevention can help keep your hearing healthy and you happy! That’s where custom hearing protection, like earplugs, comes in.

custom-earmolds-and-ear-protection-at-flex-audiology

Custom Hearing Protection Products

NIHL can occur in a variety of environments, including concerts and recreational sports to your work environment and personal life. The best kind of hearing protection plan for you will depend on your lifestyle.

What are custom earmolds?

Custom earmolds are made from an ear impression or cast mold of your ear and provide up to 28dB of noise protection. The ear impression is sent off to an earmold lab and normally takes about two weeks to get back. They can be made in a variety of sizes and colors to meet your specific needs and personal preferences.

Benefits of Custom Molded Protection

Though malleable foam earplugs, which are the most common type of ear protection, are highly effective when inserted deep enough into the ear canal, most people insert them deep enough to get the best results.

Custom-molded earplugs are molded to fit the specific contours of each of your ears. They offer a degree of comfort and sound protection that you will not find in generic earplugs.

Their custom-fit helps ensure your hearing protection stays in place. They are designed to retain accurate frequency response with precision-engineered filters that offer the most natural sound available, clear and unmuffled, allowing you to hear the full range of sounds but at a reduced volume.

Custom-molded earplugs are vented to allow sound to pass both ways, which means the sound of your voice won’t reverberate inside of your ears like it does with most earplugs. They are formed from medical-grade silicone, allowing them to be worn for extended periods of time without discomfort.

Custom Earmold Styles And Types

While anyone who is exposed to noise levels above 85 dB for more than 8 hours will benefit from the protection of custom earmolds, there are some specific styles and types most often requested from us at Flex Audiology.

Hearing Protection For Hunters and Shooters

Hunters are in a unique position in that they are exposed to loud impulse sounds from the firing of a rifle, but they need to be able to hear what’s going on around them to be successful when it comes to bagging their game as well as for safety.

Custom hearing protection for hunters are earmolds with a filter that remains open in order to hear the environment and surrounding sounds but closes for the impulse sound of a gunshot, providing the necessary protection from noise-induced hearing loss.

Musicians And Concertgoers

Musicians and concertgoers are also exposed to loud sounds in the neighborhood of 110 dB to 115 dB, which can cause damage to your hearing in less than an hour. However, the muffled sound provided by most generic ear protection disrupts the tone quality of the music.

To ensure a more natural sound, which allows musicians to hear the instrument they are playing or their voice, they need custom earmolds that filter and need to protect their ears from potential damage.

Musician earmolds are custom fit to your ear and are able to reduce sound evenly so that music and speech are natural-sounding rather than muffled. These earmolds are able to reduce sound by either 9, 15, or 25 decibels, depending on your need and listening environment.

How to encourage a stubborn man to get his hearing tested free guide

FREE DOWNLOAD: HOW TO ENCOURAGE A STUBBORN MAN TO GET HIS HEARING TESTED

With hearing loss impacting 1 in 5 of us, the data suggests that at least one special person in our lives are struggling with hearing loss. The challenge is that it's often difficult for these people to admit that they have a challenge with their hearing or be open to seeking help.

That's why we have developed a free white-paper to help you to understand the different ways that you can support a loved one and encourage them to get the help that they need.

Flex Audiology Provides
Custom Earmolds To Protect Your Hearing

Anyone at any age can experience hearing loss due to ongoing or frequent exposure to loud noise. Protecting your hearing from NIHL requires the use of some type of earplugs or earmuffs. Flex Audiology provides custom earmolds for hunters, musicians, concertgoers, and anyone else who might benefit from specialized hearing protection.

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