Hearing Protection

Protect Your Hearing Today — So You Can Hear Tomorrow

Your hearing is irreplaceable. Whether you’re working in loud environments, attending concerts, hunting, or simply mowing the lawn, repeated exposure to loud sounds can lead to permanent hearing loss or tinnitus.

At ENT & Allergy Associates of Wausau, we offer custom hearing protection and expert guidance to help you preserve your hearing for life.

Why Hearing Protection Matters

Loud noise damages the delicate hair cells inside the inner ear. Once these cells are damaged, they cannot regenerate and hearing loss can gradually worsen over time.

You may need hearing protection if you:

  • Work in noisy environments (e.g., construction, factory, landscaping)
  • Use power tools or heavy machinery
  • Enjoy hunting or shooting sports
  • Attend concerts, motorsports, or sporting events
  • Ride motorcycles or snowmobiles
  • Experience ringing or fullness in your ears after loud noise exposure

Even brief, repeated exposure can add up. Hearing loss doesn’t just happen overnight. Learn more about hearing loss here.

Custom Hearing Protection Options

Custom Earplugs

Soft silicone earplugs are molded to fit your ears perfectly. Ideal for:

  • Sleeping
  • Studying
  • Swimming
  • Office work

Musician’s Earplugs

Designed for performers, music lovers, and audio professionals. These preserve sound quality while reducing volume evenly.

Hunter’s or Shooter’s Plugs

Specialized plugs that block dangerous gunshot noise while allowing softer environmental sounds through, ideal for hunting or target practice.

Hearing Testing & Monitoring

If you're frequently exposed to loud noise, we recommend baseline hearing testing and regular monitoring. This helps catch changes early and guide protection strategies. We can also provide documentation and reports for workplace safety programs.

FAQ

How loud is too loud?

If you have to shout to be heard at arm’s length, the environment is likely above 85 dB and loud enough to cause damage over time.

What about foam earplugs from the store?
Foam earplugs offer some protection but may not fit well or block enough sound. Custom plugs are more effective and comfortable for long-term use.

Can kids use custom earplugs?
Yes! We offer options for children, especially for swimmers or kids with noise sensitivity.

Protecting What’s Left:

Facts You Should Know Regarding Hearing and Noise

  1. Excessive noise is a leading cause of permanent hearing loss.
  2. Early signs that noise is affecting the ears may be tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and a slight sense of muffled hearing.
  3. Damage due to noise exposure is cumulative. Every time the ears are exposed to noise, the damage increases.
  4. Hearing loss due to noise starts in the high pitches and will spread to the mid and low pitches if exposure continues.
  5. Hearing loss in the high pitches will create difficulty in perceiving the consonant sounds of speech. Speech will not sound clear; words will not be distinguished correctly. Women’s and children’s voices will be particularly difficult to understand.
  6. Continued noise exposure will result in permanent, irreversible hearing loss. There is no medicine or surgical treatment to restore hearing once it is damaged this way.
  7. Excessive noise physically damages or destroys the sensory fibers of the inner ear. As noise exposure is repeated, more fibers are lost. They cannot be regenerated.
  8. There is no such thing as “toughening up” your ears. Rather, there is only progressive hearing loss from exposure. The only way to prevent noise-induced hearing loss is to protect your ears from loud sounds.
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Protect Your Hearing & Book a Consultation Today

Whether you need custom plugs, a hearing test, or advice on hearing conservation, we’re here to help.

Call us at 715‑847‑2021 or contact us online to schedule a custom hearing protection consultation.