Blog

Noise is one of the most common occupational hazards in many workplaces. This is especially true in industrial settings, where there is often constant background noise that increases the danger of permanent hearing loss for workers. Most people think that you can permanently damage your hearing only when exposed to an extremely high level of noise, such as an explosion. Hearing damage can also occur gradually, at much lower levels of noise if you are continuously exposed to it. The fact …

Noise levels will be high around the San Francisco Bay this weekend. Fleet Week is here and with it the loud, loud sound of six F/A-18 Hornets flying overhead at Mach 1. It's something you can feel through your whole body, but it's your ears that are in the greatest danger. Maximum decibel levels for spectators has been measured between 100 and 115dB, which is pretty darn high. While this level is still in the realm of the acceptable for short doses during fly-over, it is still incre …

Worn properly an earplug like the Howard Leight Max NRR 33 can be used in noise up to 110 dB(A).  110 dB is roughly equivalent to someone blowing a whistle a couple feet from your ear.  Aside from being extremely irritating, it’s very dangerous for your ear.  120dB is typically recognized as the pain threshold and the point where damage to your ear can happen very quickly. On their website, the Howard Leight company writes that the best earplug is the one that is worn …