Hearing Protection

What to expect at a Hearing Protection Appointment with The Hearing Care Partnership 

A hearing protection appointment gives you dedicated time with a qualified Audiologist to assess your needs and create protection that fits your ears precisely. During this 30-minute consultation, you’ll receive a comprehensive ear health assessment, personalised advice on suitable hearing protection, and professional ear impressions where required. 

If you choose to purchase hearing protection directly through us, the cost of the appointment and impressions is included in the price of the product. If you have purchased hearing protection elsewhere without a voucher for impressions, a £30 fee applies for impressions only, which you can take away with you. 

Custom ear impressions are taken using a soft, medical-grade silicone material that moulds comfortably to your ear shape and sets within minutes. This process ensures your hearing protection is designed for a secure, long-lasting fit. 

Once completed, your impressions are either yours to take away with you or can be sent directly by us to your specialist manufacturer to produce your bespoke hearing protection, designed for durability and everyday use. When ready, your finished protection can be collected from your local clinic or delivered directly to your home. 

Understanding decibel levels: How loud is too loud?

Sound intensity is measured using decibels (dB), a scale used to indicate how loud a noise is. Research suggests that ongoing exposure to sound levels above 85 decibels may increase the risk of hearing damage over time [4]. To help illustrate what this means in everyday terms, below are examples of typical sound levels you may encounter. 

• 15dB: the sound of rustling leaves [5] 
• 40dB: a quiet library [5] 
• 60dB: a dishwasher running [5] 
• 80dB: busy traffic, alarm clock [5] 
• 90dB: lawnmower, power tools [5] 
• 97dB: an industrial fire alarm [5] 
• 110dB: sporting events, car horns [5] 
• 130dB: a jet taking off [5]

A general guideline used in hearing health is that as noise levels increase, the amount of time it is safe to be exposed to them decreases rapidly. For every 3-decibel rise in volume, the recommended exposure time is reduced by half. As an example, sounds around 88dB may be tolerated for several hours, whereas exposure to nightclub-level noise can pose a risk to hearing after as little as 15 minutes without adequate protection. At very high volumes, such as 110dB or above, even brief exposure can be enough to cause lasting hearing damage [5].

To limit the risk of noise-related hearing damage, using appropriate hearing protection such as earplugs or earmuffs is strongly recommended. At The Hearing Care Partnership, our Audiologists provide professional guidance to help you choose the most effective solution for your needs, so you can continue enjoying everyday activities with confidence.