From concerts to construction sites, many environments put your hearing at risk. Professionals in fields like construction, farming, and music even might consider hearing loss to be inevitable due to long-term exposure to loud noises. To preserve employee health, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires workers to wear hearing protection if they are exposed to noise levels higher than 85 decibels regularly. As a premier industrial hardware provider since 1980, Caylor Industrial Sales in Dalton, GA, understands the hazards of working in a manufacturing facility and explains the long-term health benefits of wearing protective devices for your ears. 

Why Hearing Protection Is Important 

Noise-induced hearing loss can be temporary or permanent and might affect one or both ears. It can be immediate or worsen over time. The ear is composed of three parts: the outer, middle, and inner ear. The outer ear directs sound into the eardrum through the ear canal. The middle ear transfers sound vibrations to the inner ear, where they become nerve impulses interpreted by the brain. Loud noises can damage the nerve endings of the inner ear, and prolonged exposure could destroy them. There’s no way to repair damaged nerve endings in the ear, but hearing protection devices can prevent harm from occurring in hazardous environments. 

Who Needs to Safeguard Their Hearing

Hearing loss is especially prevalent among factory and construction workers. Building sites, warehouses, and factories rely on the use of machinery that can be dangerously loud, easily topping 85 decibels or more. You don’t need to operate a jackhammer to feel the effects of these loud noises. In addition to the high volume, prolonged exposure to these sounds puts workers at high risk of hearing damage. Professionals in construction and manufacturing fields should invest in custom earplugs designed for long-term use. 

For more tips on how to improve safety and health in your workplace, contact the industrial hardware specialists at Caylor Industrial Sales in Dalton, GA. Their knowledgeable staff helps businesses create more efficient, healthy, and safe work environments. Call (706) 226-3198 to speak with a business representative and visit their website for a look at their expansive selection of industrial hardware and supplies, including custom-machined parts. Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for more tips and news from the company.