Hearing Conservation   Hearing Conservation and Protection   Programs That Protect Hearing loss is a silent disease. It often happens slowly without you realizing it. Many times it can be prevented by understanding what kind of noise can damage your ears, what are the loudness levels and the length of time you can be exposed before damage occurs. Desert Sounds provides counseling and education to individuals, groups and businesses on how to prevent hearing loss. Please call us for more information or to arrange a presentation or hearing loss prevention program today.   It's a Noisy Jungle Out There We live in a noisy environment. Noise in the work place at home and in the streets not only affects our ability to hear, but also affects our sense of well being. Noise, even if it is not enough to cause hearing loss, can cause stress and high blood pressure.   The potential causes of noise damage to our ears are numerous. Vacuum cleaners and loud appliances such as blenders and blow dryers in the home. Elsewhere: construction noise, motorcycles and wind noise; ATVs, airplanes, and power boats; electric power tools, iPods and MP3 players use; live concerts, music in bars, bands in the high schools; loud speakers in cars; shooting a gun (even once without protection) and other loud impact noises such as a hammer on metal, or staple gun for shingling, etc. 10 million Americans have already suffered irreversible hearing damage from noise; 30 million are exposed to dangerous noise levels each day. The effects of noise on hearing are often underestimated because the damage takes place so gradually. Occupations Exposed To Excessive Noise Farmers, landscapers, hair stylists, pilots, flight attendants, construction workers, printers, factory workers, musicians, sounds technician's (studio or live), etc.   Signs Of Excessive Noise Exposure Ringing in your ears right after loud exposure Sense of fullness in your ears People and sounds are muffled Often these are signs of temporary noise exposure and your ears may recover. Over years of exposure, temporary hearing losses become permanent.   Hearing Protection Devices Ear muffs Noise canceling head phones 15 and 25 dB filtered musician ear plugs Pilots molds Defend ears ear plugs Noise cancellation devices for hunters with custom ear molds Custom ear pieces coupled to iPods, MP3 players and cell phone headsets reduces background noise and allows you to lower the volume Contact Desert Sounds to see which hearing protection devices will benefit you most.   ...life never sounded so good!™