Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I listen to loud music for?
It depends what volume you listen at. An increase of only a few decibels has a dramatic effect on the danger to hearing without protection – this is because each increase of 3 dB(A) represents a doubling of sound energy (and halves the time you should listen for).
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How loud is too loud?
The risk of damage to hearing is calculated on the basis of how loud and for how long. Experts agree that continued exposure to noise at or above 85 dB(A) without hearing protection over time can cause loss of hearing.
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Can your ears get used to loud noise? I’ve been to lots of gigs and clubs and nothing has happened to my hearing.
If you think you have toughened up your ears to loud music, or become used to loud music, it is possible you have already suffered some hearing damage.
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How can I look after my hearing when I am at a club or gig?
• Take regular breaks from the music and use chill out areas to give your ears a rest
• Stand away from loud speakers in clubs or when at gigs
• Wear special custom made Musician Hearing Protectors or re-usable hearing protection designed for clubs and gigs. We can advise you with these.
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What volume is safe to listen at when I use my mp3 player?
If the music is uncomfortable for you to listen to, then it is too loud. If you cannot hear external sounds when you have got your headphones or earphones on, again, the music is probably too loud.
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How can I avoid turning up the volume to drown out the background noise on trains, buses, etc?
We can help you with fully custom moulded In-ear-monitors, custom earplugs for generic In-Ear-monitors or custom moulds for earphones, which plug in to your personal audio equipment and are safer to listen with, or you can buy a set of noise cancelling headphones from a retailer.
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My ears were ringing after I came out of a gig last night – should I be worried?
It is likely that this ringing will go away within 24-48 hours. If it does not you should visit your GP. Remember, that temporary ringing should act as a warning that you have exposed your ears to a higher level of music than they are comfortable with. Using suitable hearing protection next time you visit a gig will help you with this.
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How can I safeguard my baby’s ears?
Small children have tiny ears which can be more sensitive than adult ears to certain high-pitched sounds. Often noise is made up of lots of different pitches of sound, so it is difficult to say when a small child is more at risk. Therefore, it is important to look after your child’s hearing whatever age they are.
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Can I use cotton wool to protect my hearing from loud music?
Cotton wool is not designed to be a hearing protector. A better solution is to use suitable hearing protection.
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Where can I get custom moulded earplugs?
From us. They are the more expensive type of hearing protectors because they are tailor made to fit your individual ear, but they are very effective and comfortable to wear. The cost involved is actually small price to pay to protect one of your important senses - your hearing.
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Where can I buy earplugs that fit onto the end of in-ear headphones?
From us. We can supply and fit you with custom earplugs which easily attach to your In-ear headphones. Please bring your In-ear headphones or earphones along if you come and see us, so that we know exactly which type you use.
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Where can I buy discreet earplugs that nobody can see?
We can help you. How discreet hearing protectors will fit in to your ears depends on the size and shape of your ear canals.
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What does ‘attenuate’ mean?
Attenuation is used to describe the level of sound reduction when using hearing protectors.
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Can you supply me with earplugs for our club night/event?
Yes ! - we can but unfortunately we cannot supply you with free hearing protectors for your event. But we may be able to help you with offering you a discount on hearing protectors if you purchase a reasonable amount at once.
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