Although it used to be only people who worked in certain industries or were active in certain hobbies or sports worried about noise induced hearing loss. Today, research shows that even using certain home power tools, riding a motorcycle, listening to loud music or just taking a walk in a loud city could put your hearing at risk for damage.

Sometimes hearing is damaged by a single instance of exposure to a very loud noise, such as a nearby explosion. Oftentimes, hearing loss occurs as the result of exposure to moderately loud noises over time. In fact, much of the decline in hearing associated with old age may be due to slow, ongoing damage to hearing that occurs over the course of a lifetime.

Industries that put workers at risk for hearing damage due to noise exposure typically have specific hearing protection devices (HPD) that they provide to employees to comply with safety regulations. These may include special earmuffs or earplugs that are carefully fitted and sized to provide the correct level of protection.

If your employer provides HPD, it's important to wear them as recommended and replace them if they are damaged. If you'd like to protect your hearing at home, you can buy your own HPD to wear when you're using lawn care machinery, woodworking tools, riding a motorcycle or engaging in any potentially loud activity.

Formable earplugs are an inexpensive option that can protect against loss of hearing. These are made of expandable foam and don't require special fitting. These are disposable earplugs that are comfortable to wear and can be very effective against loud sounds typically encountered at home. It's important to use and wear foam earplugs properly or they may not provide an adequate level of protection. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines and instructions for use carefully!

Earplugs made of flexible plastics are another type of protection that may work well for your personal use at home. These are premolded earplugs that come in various sizes to ensure proper fit.

Earmuffs are among the most effective types of HPD. These have cups with soft plastic cushions that fit around the ears, preventing damaging noise from reaching your ears. Different types of earmuffs are sold for various types of use, but most will provide adequate protection for different types of activities. For instance, you may wear the earmuffs you purchased for use with your chainsaw to protect against potential hearing damage while riding your lawn tractor.

Canal caps are another type of HPD you may find more comfortable or convenient than earplugs or earmuffs, but they generally don't provide as much protection. Flexible tips attached to a lightweight headband fit into or cover the ear canals similarly to the way ear plugs do.

If a device or type of equipment comes with recommendations about hearing protection, follow that advice! Alternatively, use common sense to choose a HPD that mutes or dulls sound to a comfortable, quieter level. In the long term, wearing HPD may help you avoid hearing damage and reduce the likelihood you'll need to wear hearing aids as you age.