Hearing Protection

Many people work in noise--on a farm, in the factory--or have noisy hobbies--hunting, motorcycling, chain sawing, music. Exposure to loud sounds can leave that person with serious damage to the auditory sensory cells in the inner ear. A noise induced hearing loss cannot be medically treated nor can it be reversed, but it can be prevented.

If you can't avoid hazardous noise levels, hearing protection is mandatory. Properly fit hearing protection acts as a barrier between the noise and the inner ear, thereby protecting the ear from intense noise levels and additional hearing loss.

Each type of hearing protector comes with a Noise Reduction Ratio (NRR) which gives you the approximate amount of noise that will be attenuated. Of course, the better the fit of the protector, the more attenuation. Bella Vista Hearing Center can assist you in selecting the type of protector that is most appropriate for the noise to which you are being exposed.
Non-custom Products

Non-custom hearing protection includes ear muffs which are worn over the external ear, making an acoustic seal against the head and earplugs which are worn in the external ear canal, sealing off the entrance to the ear canal. There are a wide variety of pre-sized earplugs available.

 Custom Products

Hearing Protection for Musicians
A custom ear protector worn in the external ear canal which was developed by Etymotic Research especially for musicians. This type of protector features unique high fidelity filters which attenuate (reduce) sound equally across all frequencies. The musician will hear the music accurately but at safer levels.

Each type of hearing protector comes with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR), which gives you an approximate noise attenuation value.

Swimplugs
Swimplugs are custom made from soft silicone material designed to prevent water from entering the ear canal. Swimplugs are most often utilized by individuals with ear conditions that should not be exposed to water, such as perforated eardrums or chronic external otitis.

Swimplugs should only be used to prevent water from splashing into the ears while bathing, washing hair or wading in a swimming pool. They are not intended for swimming underwater or while diving.

 Music Industry

  • Musicians
  • Band Teachers
  • Recording Studio Workers
  • Disc Jockeys
  • Heavy Metal Drummers

Aircraft

  • Flight Instructors
  • Pilots
  • Crew/Passengers

Communications

  • FBI/Secret Service
  • Law Enforcement
  • Telephone Operators
  • Telemarketers
  • Dictaphones
  • Cellular Phones

Construction

  • Carpenters
  • Cabinet Makers
  • Sheet Metal Workers
  • Truckers
  • Heavy Equipment
  • Operators

Dental Profession

  • Dentists
  • Dental Hygienists
  • Dental Lab Technicians

Emergency Vehicles

  • Ambulances
  • State Patrol
  • Fire Fighters

Medical Profession

  • Anesthesiologists
  • Doctors
  • Nurses

Motor Sports

  • Race Car Drivers
  • Pit Crews
  • Motorcyclists
  • Tractor Pull Participants and Attendees
  • Funny Cars
  • Drag Racers

Shooting

  • Hunters
  • Skeet and Trap Shooters
  • Target Shooters (Additional Protection May Also Be Needed)

Swimming Areas (NOT for scuba divers)

  • YMCA Health Clubs
  • School Swim Teams
  • Retirement Communities

Other Miscellaneous

  • Airline Travel
  • Carpet Cleaners
  • Hyperacusis (Sensitivity to Loud Sounds)
  • Lumber Yards
  • Machinists
  • Recruitment/Tinnitus
  • Sawmills
  • Sleep and Study
  • Trees and Lawn Services