By pauline Advanced Hearing Protection Device For Acoustically Challenging Environments Auditory trauma is the result of constant noise in the work place. Persistent exposure to intense noise for a long time can cause irreparable damage to human hearing. Some of the major health hazards caused by noise, as suggested by experts, are permanent hearing loss, high blood pressure, muscle tension, migraine, headaches, irritability, insomnia, increased aggression and psychological disorders
Hence the ears must be protected against occupational hearing loss. High intensity noise has traditionally been associated with airplanes, helicopters, heavy industries, drilling sites etc.
People working in such high noise environments use hearing protection devices (HPD) like earmuffs and earplugs. The performance of these hearing protection devices depends on many parameters, the most important being the size of the acoustic leak. Recent developments in minimizing the size of the acoustic leak in both earplugs and earmuffs have led to improved attenuation performance.
These hearing protection devices play a key role in any high level noise environment and the challenge is to find ways to select and use the right hearing protection devices (HPD) more effectively. Today’s innovatively designed HPD’s deliver a total high noise communication solution for people who require a modest design, combined with world class hearing protection and the ability to have situational awareness. Such high technology ear plugs have all the features of traditional hearing protectors, but with the added benefit of allowing users to hear speech while staying protected in high noise environments.
Features of Next Gen Hearing Protection Devices
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is responsible for government rules covering HPD evaluation and labeling, is in the process of revising their regulations. The HPD industry is evolving with many new players entering the field with high-tech and innovative, next generation hearing protection devices. The industry is becoming increasingly receptive to the varying needs of the changing workforce and coming up with advanced intrinsically safe hearing protection and communication devices. This is good news for hearing protection devices users!