A new review of existing employer hearing protection programs seems to indicate that there is little evidence to support the workplace programs. That doesn’t mean that workers don’t wear earplugs and other hearing protection devices, but the study reviewers indicate that they may not always be effective.

Review lead author Jos Verbeek indicated that in terms of the big hearing wellness picture, “We still rely too much on hearing protection, which is not sufficient.” In an article published by Health Behavior News Service, a Colorado audiologist agrees, saying that hearing loss is a very common workplace injury and itís very invisible, saying it takes a while for it to get bad enough for people to pay attention.

Reasons cited that hearing loss protection programs may not work include people not wearing earplugs when they are supposed to, and being exposed to excessive noise levels as a result. Also, low-quality earplugs that are designed as a “one-size-fits-all” may not work properly for everyone. Further, proper use of earplugs requires simple training, because proper use consists of more than just sticking them in your ears.

The overall best solution to protecting hearing wellness is to reduce exposure to loud or extended noise, which may not always be feasible due to expenses — especially in today’s tough economy. However, the study authors recommend some less-costly measures such as enclosures around noisy machinery and simply soundproofing noisy workrooms.

Ultimately, people must take personal responsibility of ensuring hearing health. Taking hearing wellness supplements like ProHieran can also help provide hearing wellness as well as promote overall cellular health.

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Among the professions with high or extended noise levels are industrial workers, farmers, motorcyclists, farmers, pilots, dentists, musicians, and professional athletes. Where hearing is involved, not all hobbies or activities are created equal either. Avocations like sporting clays or dirt biking can also cause permanent hearing loss.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set regulatory standards to help protect individuals against the effects of noise exposure on the job. Determining these levels is based on a number of factors, including frequency, duration, and octave band sound pressure in decibels. When employees are subjected to sound exceeded the limits as specified, OSHA requires feasible administrative or engineering controls to be utilized, and if such controls don’t reduce the sound levels to appropriate levels, than personal protective hearing equipment should be utilized. A majority of companies today have instituted so-called “hearing conservation programs” where hearing wellness is monitored and the hearing of employees is maintained to the greatest extent possible.

However, if you are self-employed or don’t work for a company that is governed by OSHA standards, then ultimately ensuring your hearing wellness falls to you. One of the greatest concerns about hearing loss is that it can sneak up on you. While exposure to extreme loud noises (like a rock concert) may leave you with a temporary hearing loss that generally returns in a short time, hearing loss on the job may occur gradually so that employees are not even aware of it initially. Over time, the loss of hearing becomes more pronounced, and is often irreversible.

Depending on your job, you may want to ask your employer about what type of hearing wellness plan is utilized at work. You should also take steps to keeping your hearing on track by choosing to utilize hearing protection if you feel it is warranted. Also consider whether taking an all-natural supplement like ProHieran for hearing wellness is beneficial for you and your lifestyle.

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One of the reasons people love to attend sporting events so much is the roar of the crowds, the bands and drums, the entertainment, and of course, the reactions, whistles, horns, cheers, chants and screams whenever your favorite team — or the opponents — score. Players cite the same reasons as well for why they love to play in front of large crowds.

But, if you’ve ever left a sporting event with a ringing in your ears, felt head pressure, or feel like you have earplugs in (but you don’t), then quite possibly your ears are taking a temporary time-out from the action. The result is what is referred to as a temporary hearing loss.

Determining what is considered an excessive and potentially dangerous noise level is difficult. Some hearing specialists say that sounds louder than 85 decibels are potentially hazardous to your hearing. This means that an extended exposure to any sound louder than a normal conversation can potentially be hurting your hearing. By comparison, a lawn mower is considered about 95 decibels. The roars of sporting events have been recorded at 108 decibels in previous studies.

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, an estimated 30 million Americans are regularly exposed to dangerous noise levels. That is an increase of 10 million from just a few years ago. These numbers include many young people who, due to environmental noise exposure, experience diminished hearing in their teens and 20s.

Why no one is saying you shouldn’t go to your favorite sporting eventóor concert or car raceóyou should do what you can to protect your hearing. Keep your ears at their optimal by wearing ear plugs. Also consider supplements like ProHieran for promoting overall hearing wellness.

Learn more about ProHieran here.

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