Protect the sounds
that matter.
Everyday sound is part of life, but repeated or excessive noise can affect hearing over time. Understanding noise exposure, safer listening habits and the right hearing protection can help reduce avoidable risk.
Small habits can protect your hearing.
Noise exposure can come from headphones, entertainment venues, traffic, machinery, tools and many other everyday environments. The potential risk depends on both how loud the sound is and how long you are exposed to it.
Hearing protection is not about avoiding sound. It is about making sensible choices around volume, exposure time and protection when sound levels are high.
Simple choices.
Long-term hearing care.
Manage the Volume
Keep personal listening devices at a comfortable level and avoid increasing volume simply to overcome background noise.
Limit Exposure Time
The longer you spend around loud sound, the greater the potential exposure. Give your ears regular breaks from noisy environments.
Use Hearing Protection
Earplugs, earmuffs or other suitable hearing protection can help reduce sound exposure in noisy workplaces and recreational settings.
Protect at Work
If your work involves significant noise, follow workplace hearing-safety procedures and use the protection provided or recommended.
Listen Safely
Headphones and earphones can be enjoyed responsibly by balancing listening volume with the amount of time you use them.
Notice Warning Signs
Temporary muffled hearing or ringing after loud sound can be a warning that the listening environment was too intense.
Know. Reduce.
Protect. Recover.
Know
Be aware of situations where sound is loud enough that you need to raise your voice to communicate comfortably.
Reduce
Where practical, lower the volume, move farther from the sound source or reduce the amount of time spent in loud environments.
Protect
Use appropriate hearing protection when exposure cannot be avoided, particularly around machinery, amplified music or other intense sound.
Recover
Give your ears quieter periods after significant noise exposure and seek professional advice if hearing changes or tinnitus persist.
Loud sound can be closer than you think.
Concerts, headphones, power tools, traffic, sporting events, celebrations and some workplaces can all involve high sound levels. The important factors are intensity, duration and how often the exposure occurs.
After loud noise, temporary ringing or muffled hearing can be a sign that your ears have been exposed to too much sound. If these symptoms persist, or you notice an ongoing change in hearing, consider professional assessment.
Want to Protect Your Hearing?
Better hearing protection starts with understanding your listening environment and choosing the right protection for the situation.