When you are undertaking lawn mowing or any other yard work, you need to protect your hearing so that you don’t suffer from noise-induced hearing loss. The cool thing is that there are plenty of ways in which you can protect your hearing. Some of these ways include
Using earplugs
These are small ear protection devices that fit and block the ear canal. They are made from a variety of materials such as silicone, soft plastic, polyurethane, and PVC. They are loved by many people as they don’t get in the way when you are wearing a helmet or any form of ear protection.
When you are looking to buy earplugs, you should note that there are many of them in the store that you can go for. The most common ones are:
Disposable earplugs: They are made from a soft foam material that ensures that you are comfortable when working. From their name, you should dispose of them after use. They are made from light materials; therefore, you should use them once or twice at most, after which you have to replace them.
Reusable earplugs: They are often made from soft silicone or plastic materials. Since the material is tough, you can reuse them a few times without any problems. For you to keep them hygienic, remember to clean them after use.
Moldable earplugs: They are a great alternative for when you can’t get a great fit with the traditional earplugs. Moldable earplugs are made from silicone or wax materials and they are molded into the bowl of the ear by the wearer.
Custom earplugs: These are made specifically for your ears. They are often made by the hearing healthcare professional where he/she takes an ear mold impression of your ear and sends the impression to the earplug manufacturer who then custom makes the earplugs for you
Since these pieces are specifically made for your ears, they often provide the highest levels of sound attenuation. Unfortunately, they tend to be expensive.
For you to get the most from earplugs, you should wear them properly. You should start with washing your hands and inspecting the earplugs.
You should then roll the pieces between your fingers or across your palm. After doing this, pull your ear outward and upward, then insert the earplug and hold it in place until it expands.
You also need to take good care of the pieces for them to last for a long time. Before you wear the pieces, inspect them for any issues they might be having. If they have a problem, fix it immediately. You will even be better off replacing the units than wearing those that are worn out.
When it comes to the disposable units, you should avoid using them many more times than they are designed to. As mentioned above, you should use them a maximum of two times. After this, they not only tend to be rough and uncomfortable, they also tend to put you at the risk of getting ear infections.
In such a case, you should simply replace them.
Are you using reusable ear protection devices? You should remember to clean them regularly. As rule of thumb, always clean them after work.
Earmuffs
Also known as ear defenders, earmuffs are hard plastic cups that fit tightly to your ears hence sealing the ear canal. When you wear the pieces, they surround the ears sealing the ears from most of the noise that might be getting in
For you to get the most from the headphones, you should buy the right size. You also need to pay attention to the noise reduction rating of the pieces. Obviously, the higher the rating, the better the noise protection they will provide
Are you fashion conscious? You should then consider the style of the pieces. As rule of thumb, you should go with pieces that you are comfortable with and look the best on you
Just like with earplugs, you need to take good care of the earmuffs for them to last for a long time and give you a great service. Avoid mishandling the pieces as they can easily break. You also should avoid immersing the units in water as they will get damaged
Once you are done with your work, you should carefully fold the units and place them in a comfortable place that is free from any damage. Before you wear the units, carefully inspect them for any defects they might be having. If they have any issues, replace the parts. In some cases, you may have to replace the entire pieces
Canal caps
The final option you have when you are looking for pieces to protect your hearing when handling yard work are canal caps.
On a casual look, the pieces resemble a combination of earplugs and earmuffs. Unfortunately, they don’t provide the hearing protection of either.
The pieces feature rounded heads that cover the entire entrance of the ear canal. For you to maintain an effective seal when wearing the pieces, apply firm pressure on them, from the headband.
For you to get the most from the units, use them in areas of intermittent noise.
Parting shot
As you have seen, there are plenty of hearing protection devices for lawn mowing that you can go with. For you to get the most from them, always invest in high-quality units. Don’t waste your money on units that will come apart after just a few uses.