Hearing Protection - Facts and Myths.

Boerboel · Post by **Boerboel** » Mon May 08, 2017 9:13 pm

Die is die Artikel wat ek geskryf het, dis in Engels

Ok Where to Begin

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Let me first explain how we hear, sound waves travels via our ear canal, to the eardrum, the sound is then converted to mechanical sound, traveling through the middle ear – The Malleus, Incus and Stapes. The Stapes is connected to the Cochlea at the oval window, which makes the fluid in the cochlea move and so stimulating the inner hairs and so changing the sound to electrical sound and sending it to the brain via the nerves.
We can also hear via our skull, e.g. bone conduction. Sound travels through our skull, directly to the cochlea and from there to the brain.

So when doing a hearing test, we first test the air conduction, via the ear canal and then bone conduction.
When testing the bone conduction, we would place the Bone Conductor behind the ear we want to test, and the reason for that is simple; it is the shortest path to the Cochlea on that side.
Should we place the Bone Conductor in the middle of the head, the sound would be heard by the better ear if the bad ear has a nerve loss. In the case of a middle ear obstruction the sound will be heard on the bad ear.

Our first myth is “that you must use earmuffs, as to protect the little bones behind the ear”. The truth is, as we saw, that we can hear through our skulls. So if you want to get the best hearing protection you need one of these.

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From (http://acoustics.org/pressroom/httpdocs ... 3pNS3.html)

Nerve damage – Damage to the inner ear hair cells, this can be avoided by the use of hearing protection.

Conductive loss – Damage to the outer ear or middle ear, anything from wax blockage to fluid in the middle ear, bacterial infection or to a broken link.

Mixed loss - Both a Nerve and Conductive loss present.

We classify hearing in decibels = dB as follows:

Normal hearing -10 to +20 dB HL - HL is hearing level and differ from dB lin or A
Mild hearing loss 21 to 40 dB
Moderate hearing loss 41 to 55 dB
Moderate-Severe hearing loss 56 to 70 dB
Severe hearing loss 71 to 90 dB
Profound hearing loss 95+ dB

Then we have to remember is that no two ears are the same, e.g. size and shape. Every persons hearing perception is different e.g. where a sound is comfortable for one person; it might be too soft or too loud for the next person.

Let’s look at different sounds and the unprotected hearing damage risk levels in decibels calculated to an eight hour noise rating level.
• 85 dBA : Risk of hearing damage and the use of hearing protection is mandatory in the work environment 8 hour exposure is permitted per day.
• 90 dBA : Risk of hearing damage after 2.5 hours of noise exposure
o Lawn Mower
o Truck Traffic
• 95 dBA : Risk of hearing damage after 48 minutes of noise exposure
o Motorcycle
o Power Saw
• 100 dBA Noise : Risk of hearing damage after 15 minutes of noise exposure
o Chainsaw
o Stereo Headphones
• 105 dBA Noise : Risk of hearing damage after 5 minutes of noise exposure
o Jackhammer
o Helicopter
• 110 dBA Noise : Risk of hearing damage after 1.5 minutes of noise exposure
o Rock Concert
o Sandblasting
• 115 dBA Noise : Risk of hearing damage is immediate
o Nail gun
• 120 dBA : Definite risk of hearing damage.
o Hand gun, Pistol smaller calibre. Prop aeroplanes
• 140 dBA plus : Acoustic trauma possible - Can cause immediate hearing damage
o Rifle Big bore
o Jet Engine Taking Off

So thinking about the risk levels, here is the next myth - you need to shoot your weapon without hearing protection, “so that you can get use to the sound, as the sound might scare you when you are in a self-defence shooting.”
Or the more I shoot my gun without hearing protection, the more I get used to it, and it doesn’t sound that load any more. Well you can actually get “use to” the sound, but it is a brain function giving you perception that makes you feel you are getting use to the sound.
In both instances you can cause immediate damage to your hearing. I would strongly advise against this as your hearing can’t be corrected, and why take a chance.

So we need to protect our hearing, but where do we start and what do we look for?
Earmuffs, earplugs, custom earplugs, do we go passive or electronic?

Firstly, let’s look at the noise protection rating, where there are three different ratings.

Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is a measurement used in the USA, to determine the effectiveness of hearing protectors to reduce noise in decibels, and must be tested and approved by ANSI. From 0-33dB, with 33dB being the best protection. It will be labelled NNR 29dB, with 29dB the rating.

Single Number Rating (SNR) is used in Europe and the testing is slightly different from NNR rating, it also goes further and gives ratings for H- high frequency, M- medium frequency and L for low frequency. It will be labelled SNR 26, H=32, M=23, L=14

Level Sound Conversion (SLC80) is used in Australia and New Zealand. It is the estimated amount of protection attained by 80% of users in a laboratory test. It is rated from Class 1 that can be used for up to 90dB, Class 2 up to 95dB and so on in 5dB step. It will be labelled SLC80 27 Class 5.

However, we have to remember that these tests were done in laboratory conditions, and they made sure the protectors were fitted perfectly, also all ears are different and our hearing perceptions are also different. So we may deduct up to about 5dB from the labelled number.

Secondly passive and electronic hearing protection
Passive hearing protection are basically just normal hearing protection that blocks out sound up to 33dB, we also get passives without filters that blocks out all volume sound up to 33dB, then passives with filters that allow sounds between 30db-85dB through but block sound higher than 85db, with up to 33dB (NRR).

The disadvantage of passive hearing protection is that you can’t always hear commands on the shooting range or hear soft sounds like twigs and grass in the hunting field.
The advantage of passive hearing protection is that they are more cost effective than the same quality electronic protection.

Electronic hearing protection is hearing protection with amplification. It amplifies sounds, and then either compresses or clips (peak clipping) sound higher than 85dB up to 33dB.
The advantage of electronic hearing protection is that you can hear commands on the shooting range and hear soft sounds like twig breaking and grass.
The disadvantage is that it is more expensive that passives.

Following on

Boerboel · Post by **Boerboel** » Mon May 08, 2017 9:23 pm

Next Part

Let’s look at earmuffs first.

earmuffs.jpg

As you can see, there are different types of earmuffs, from economical passive earmuffs, to top of the line passive earmuffs to electronic earmuffs.

The advantages of earmuffs are, one size fits all and nearly all perfectly. If a factory has a dangerous noise level, it is compulsory to use hearing protection and with earmuffs it is easy to see if the workers are using it and also if they are using it correctly.

The disadvantage of earmuffs are that they are big, you sweat under them and the better quality ones normally fits tighter, so that they can seal better. Also when shooting a shotgun or rifle, they tend to get in the way, and do get knocked off from time to time. Using spectacles or safety classes can break the sound seal against the head and the protector will loose its effeciancy and become obsolete.

Have a look at the following pictures

Picture 1, economical earmuffs, fits good and seals good. NRR rating for these are 21dB.

earmuffs1.jpg

In picture 2 we use our shooting glasses as we have to, now as we can see, it does not form a good seal, so we it will almost be the same as having no protection.

earmuffs2.jpg

Boerboel · Post by **Boerboel** » Mon May 08, 2017 9:30 pm

Part 3, ek kan ongelukkig net 3 foto's op slag plaas

In picture 4, we are using the economical earmuffs again, but we are using a thin frame, so now we have a better seal, but still not 100%.

earmuffs3.jpg

So when using earmuffs, one must make 100% sure that they fit snugly and that when using glasses, get the thinnest frames, so that you get a 100% seal.

Now let’s look at earplugs,
At the bottom picture, we have foam plugs, silicon plugs and silicon plugs with a filter. You also get wax earplugs and putty that you can mould to your ear shape.
There are myths that if you put the earplugs too deep that you can damage your ear drum or some even go as far to say that you can damage your hair cells. The eardrum is about 35mm deep, and most plugs are not that long, yes you can push the hair in your canal away, but that is normal hair, but you can’t damage your inner hair cells, as that is in your inner ear, and the plugs are in your outer ear.

earplugs.jpg

The advantages of earplugs are that they are more cost effective, easy to use and comfortable.
They are also one size fit all, the foam plugs are normally disposable, so you wear them once, the advantage is they are more economical and also there is less chance of ear infections. You can wear your glasses and they are not in the way.

The disadvantage is that most people don’t use the plugs correctly, also because our ear canals are not the same size, we can’t all use the same size plugs. If you use the large plugs and have small ear canals, they will not fit properly, same as if you have large ear canals and you use small earplugs.
Also in the factory environment, one can’t always see if the workers are wearing there earplugs correctly

Bottom picture - Foam plugs, when compressed so that you can push them in your ear, and if they are fully expanded

earplugs1.jpg

Boerboel · Post by **Boerboel** » Mon May 08, 2017 9:35 pm

Part 4

Bottom picture - Foam plugs inserted correctly

earplugs2.jpg

Bottom pictures - foam plugs not inserted correctly

earplugs3.jpg

Silicon earplugs fitting correctly

earplugs4.jpg

Giepie · Post by **Giepie** » Mon May 08, 2017 9:36 pm

Baie dankie Boerboel. Baie insiggewend. Passive oorpluisies word seker gemaak vir spesifieke gebruik. Myne het ek gekry vir motorfietse, maar ook krag gereedskap. Protech Ear. Sal dit werk vir gewere ook? Sover werk dit beter as mowwe.

Net oor skade aan die oor. So twee jaar gelede gaan jag en die een persoon trek toe skoot af sonder dat ons ander gereed was. Sedertdien sit ek met tennitis, permanente gesuis in my ore. Voor dit was dit nie so nie. PAS JOU ORE OP!!!

Boerboel · Post by **Boerboel** » Mon May 08, 2017 9:41 pm

part 5

Silicon earplugs not fitting correctly, as can see there is not a big difference between the fitting correctly picture above and the bottom picture.

earplugs5.jpg

Lastly we get custom earplugs, you get an impression of your ear taken, and then a custom earplug gets made just for your ear, it is the best fitting, as it’s made just for your ear.
Advantage is that it is a perfect fit made just for you, it is very comfortable and it seals perfectly.

The only disadvantage is that your ear keeps growing; well your ear never stops growing, and interestingly your nose as well. So every 3-5 years you need to have your protectors evaluated for propper fitting and if the fit leaks you can have a silicon base added or remake your custom earplugs for a perfect fit.

Perfectly fitted passive custom earplug, you can clearly see the filter that blocks sound over 85db, but unfortunately creates a “30dB hearing loss”

protec ear.jpg

Perfectly fitted custom made electronic hearing protection, comfortable and you can hear all the sounds around you, from the range commands to twigs breaking.

Electronic.jpg

Finally the most protection we can get from any hearing protection on its own is about NRR 33dB, but if you double plug, using earplugs and earmuffs, we can go up another 5dB.
It is advisable to double plug when indoors or when using a muzzle brake on a rifle. Also when a person has a flinch, double plugging can help.(Double plugging means use a earmuff over your insert hearing protector).

Boerboel · Post by **Boerboel** » Mon May 08, 2017 9:45 pm

last Part

The bottom 2 pictures are examples of incorrect hearing protection. We see the brass in the ear every now and then, but it is not effective and can still lead to hearing loss. Luckily we don’t see the bottom picture on the range.

doppies.jpg

atf gun.jpg

Lastly please remember that shooting without hearing protection can cause immediate hearing loss, sometimes it takes a couple of years to notice but it will cause hearing damage. It may also cause tinnitus, ringing in the ear, which might go away, but can also be permanent.
Remember once you have ringing ears after leaving the range you have already contracted some hearing loss.

The only thing that can be done for nerve hearing loss is a hearing aid, and it is not always the most pleasurable system to get used to, but they do work great

Jurgen Visser · Post by **Jurgen Visser** » Mon May 08, 2017 10:31 pm

Dankie baie , ek is klaar doof , maar doen maar die dubbel beskerming wat jy hierbo noem

Johan7 · Post by **Johan7** » Tue May 09, 2017 1:12 pm

Dankie Boerboel, die stuk was nou baie insiggewend!

Stephan86 · Post by **Stephan86** » Tue May 09, 2017 3:05 pm

Baie goeie stukkie inligting. Baie dankie

Boerboel · Post by **Boerboel** » Fri Sep 01, 2017 9:44 am

JacoJ · Post by **JacoJ** » Wed Mar 28, 2018 4:29 pm

Baie bly ek het dit gelees! Baie dankie

Sent from my SM-A320F using Tapatalk

Boerboel · Post by **Boerboel** » Tue May 21, 2019 11:28 am

Ek dink ek moet die weer bump

DaavG · Post by **DaavG** » Mon Apr 14, 2025 1:39 pm

Bump for interest sake

BeesBreet · Post by **BeesBreet** » Tue Apr 15, 2025 6:44 pm

DaavG wrote:Bump for interest sake

Ek is gatvol vir my oormowwe! Watter “in ear” goed is die gemaklikste vir heel dag dra. Opsoek na goeie, gemaklikke electroniese stel.

Ek besef dit is nie die beste beskerming nie, en sal steeds oormowwe gebruik op Skiet dae, maar soek graag in ear vir wanneer ek alleen skiet met silencers…

Help asb as hier iemand is met persoonlikke ondervinding.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Forester · Post by **Forester** » Wed Apr 16, 2025 8:44 am

BeesBreet wrote: ↑Tue Apr 15, 2025 6:44 pm
DaavG wrote:Bump for interest sake
Ek is gatvol vir my oormowwe! Watter “in ear” goed is die gemaklikste vir heel dag dra. Opsoek na goeie, gemaklikke electroniese stel.

Ek besef dit is nie die beste beskerming nie, en sal steeds oormowwe gebruik op Skiet dae, maar soek graag in ear vir wanneer ek alleen skiet met silencers…

Help asb as hier iemand is met persoonlikke ondervinding.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ek gebruik CENS digital vir haelgeweer skiet. Daar was baie probleme met die vorige verskaffer, maar dit lyk of iemand anders nou die regte gekry het. Ek het die moulds in UK laat maak, dit was baie beter kwaliteit as wat ek in SA gekry het. Dis net 'n duur uitstappie, maar werk al vir meer as 6 jaar. Dit lyk of die nuwe verskaffer www.fitsonic.africa is.

win270 · Post by **win270** » Wed Apr 16, 2025 11:56 am

My "in die oor" gehoorbeskerming laat maak by Oorinstituut. Mediese fonds wou natuurlik niks dek van die koste nie. Nietemin, eerste jag in die bos het dit verloor toe ek tussen digte bosse moes deurbeweeg, nooit gevind nie. Ek besef egter dat gehoorbeskerming baie belangrik is, veral as jy nog sonder "silencer" ook jag. Manne op die skietbaan het dit soveel te meer nodig.

Ds J · Post by **Ds J** » Wed Apr 16, 2025 3:11 pm

Maak hierdie asb n "sticky" ? Of dalk sommer verpligte leeswerk vir elke ou en nuwe lid

Puik stuk!

Chris Roux · Post by **Chris Roux** » Thu Apr 17, 2025 8:10 am

By my werks plek, wat nogal raserig is gebruik ons "noise clipper". Ek sien op hulle web blad, hulle maak ook n stelletjies vir skiet.

https://noiseclipper.co.za/hearing-protection/

heywillie · Post by **heywillie** » Thu Apr 17, 2025 12:20 pm

Chris Roux wrote: ↑Thu Apr 17, 2025 8:10 am By my werks plek, wat nogal raserig is gebruik ons "noise clipper". Ek sien op hulle web blad, hulle maak ook n stelletjies vir skiet.

https://noiseclipper.co.za/hearing-protection/

Ek gebruik van die Noise Clippers. Het een stel vir jag/skiet en nog een vir werk.
Ek gebruik gewoonlik bietjie Vaseline of Zam-Buk voor ek die toestelle in my ore sit.
Omdat dit volgens jou eie ore gemaak word, kan mens dit met gemak die hele dag dra.

Giepie · Post by **Giepie** » Thu Apr 17, 2025 12:37 pm

Ek by die audioloë ProtechEar laat maak volgens my ore. Ek gebruik dit vir skiet, motorfiets en kraggereedskap. Op die fiets ry ek lang afstande, en dit bly gemaklik. Daar is filters ingebou vir verskillende frekwensies, so al demp dit die meeste klank, kan ek nog hoor as iemand om my praat. As ek gaan skiet gebruik ek dit saam met oormowwe. Die 2 saam werk goed vir my.

Apie · Post by **Apie** » Fri Apr 18, 2025 8:09 am

Forester wrote:
BeesBreet wrote: ↑Tue Apr 15, 2025 6:44 pm
DaavG wrote:Bump for interest sake
Ek is gatvol vir my oormowwe! Watter “in ear” goed is die gemaklikste vir heel dag dra. Opsoek na goeie, gemaklikke electroniese stel.

Ek besef dit is nie die beste beskerming nie, en sal steeds oormowwe gebruik op Skiet dae, maar soek graag in ear vir wanneer ek alleen skiet met silencers…

Help asb as hier iemand is met persoonlikke ondervinding.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ek gebruik CENS digital vir haelgeweer skiet. Daar was baie probleme met die vorige verskaffer, maar dit lyk of iemand anders nou die regte gekry het. Ek het die moulds in UK laat maak, dit was baie beter kwaliteit as wat ek in SA gekry het. Dis net 'n duur uitstappie, maar werk al vir meer as 6 jaar. Dit lyk of die nuwe verskaffer www.fitsonic.africa is.

Kan die ook aanbeveel!

Tania van Fitsonic gee goeie diens.

Jou plaaslike oudioloog vat ‘n ‘mould’ van jou ore en dit word weggestuur na Cens wat dan die oorstukke maak en weer terugstuur.

Baie tevrede.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Boerboel · Post by **Boerboel** » Fri Apr 18, 2025 1:01 pm

BeesBreet wrote: ↑Tue Apr 15, 2025 6:44 pm
DaavG wrote:Bump for interest sake
Ek is gatvol vir my oormowwe! Watter “in ear” goed is die gemaklikste vir heel dag dra. Opsoek na goeie, gemaklikke electroniese stel.

Ek besef dit is nie die beste beskerming nie, en sal steeds oormowwe gebruik op Skiet dae, maar soek graag in ear vir wanneer ek alleen skiet met silencers…

Help asb as hier iemand is met persoonlikke ondervinding.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Jou custom in the ear hearing protection gee jou dieselfde beskerming, baie keer beter as mowwe.

Soos ek noem die beste is altwee saam. Ek dra ook electronic custom ITE, en gebruik hulle orals. Sport skiet, Jag en so.

Protec Ear is baie goed, maar dis passives.

Cens is great en jy kan jou mould na 4jaar weer oormaak en die module weer daarin pas.

Oja jou ore en neus hou nooit op met groeie tot jy sterf. So jy MOET die fitting weer oor doen om stuif te pas

Boerboel · Post by **Boerboel** » Fri Apr 18, 2025 1:30 pm

heywillie wrote: ↑Thu Apr 17, 2025 12:20 pm
Chris Roux wrote: ↑Thu Apr 17, 2025 8:10 am By my werks plek, wat nogal raserig is gebruik ons "noise clipper". Ek sien op hulle web blad, hulle maak ook n stelletjies vir skiet.

https://noiseclipper.co.za/hearing-protection/
Ek gebruik van die Noise Clippers. Het een stel vir jag/skiet en nog een vir werk.
Ek gebruik gewoonlik bietjie Vaseline of Zam-Buk voor ek die toestelle in my ore sit.
Omdat dit volgens jou eie ore gemaak word, kan mens dit met gemak die hele dag dra.

Wees net versigtig vir te veel vaseline of zum-buk, dit mag die ore soggy maak. Kan probleem wees vir mense wat baie nat ore het, en infeksies veroorsaak by hulle. As moontlik gebruik eerder Aqueous cream, dis waterbased en word makliker deur die ore absobeer

Giepie · Post by **Giepie** » Sat Apr 19, 2025 5:15 pm

Boerboel wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 1:30 pm Wees net versigtig vir te veel vaseline of zum-buk, dit mag die ore soggy maak. Kan probleem wees vir mense wat baie nat ore het, en infeksies veroorsaak by hulle. As moontlik gebruik eerder Aqueous cream, dis waterbased en word makliker deur die ore absobeer

Baie dankie hiervoor. Veral waar ek dit saam met die motorfiets gebruik raak dit soms seer met die baie insit en uithaal.

JARACAL