The key is to keep noisy equipment as far away as possible. Some hearing loss occurs naturally as part of aging. Generally this does not become severe unless people are continually exposed to noise. Therefore, it is important to avoid excessively loud noises to prevent additional hearing loss that could lead to a disability. Although noisy environments can lead to permanent hearing loss, they also can affect people in other ways.
Noisy environments can lead to increased anxiety, hypertension, and fatigue.
Many people who wear hearing protection comment that they feel better in general at the end of the day. Most people cannot detect their own hearing loss because auditory damage occurs slowly over time. If in doubt, get a hearing test by an audiologist, available at most hospitals and clinics. These devices provide a barrier between the sound and the ear, or absorb sound waves before they enter the ear. Persons with normal hearing always can detect some sound while wearing HPDs because bones in the head conduct sound.