All articles tagged with #hearing protection
This week's top health stories include the potential link between alcohol and a deadly cancer, the surprising effects of negative thoughts on the brain, and simple methods to protect hearing before it's too late.
Apple's latest software update for AirPods Pro 2 introduces Hearing Protection, a feature that automatically reduces noise levels in loud environments across all noise modes, potentially helping to combat the global rise in hearing loss and marking a significant advancement in health-focused audio technology.
Earplugs offer more than just hearing protection, providing benefits such as noise reduction, better sleep, improved focus, and reduced sensory overload. They can help protect against hearing loss, reduce stress, and improve sleep quality, making them a convenient tool for everyday life. However, it's important to use earplugs safely, taking breaks to prevent wax buildup and being mindful of potential risks such as missing important sounds. Alternatives like earmuffs and noise-canceling headphones also offer options for protecting hearing and promoting peace of mind.
Detroit Lions fans and medical experts are reacting to the record-breaking sound levels at Ford Field, with some expressing excitement and others raising concerns about potential hearing damage. Medical experts warn that sound levels exceeding 110 decibels, such as those experienced at football games, can cause immediate and lasting damage to hearing. They recommend wearing earplugs to lower the risk of harm, while fans like Joe Chesney are reveling in the energetic atmosphere and hoping for a successful playoff run for the Lions.
Belgian startup Loop Earplugs, founded by childhood friends Maarten Bodewes and Dimitri O, has experienced explosive growth in sales, reaching $44.1 million in 2022, a 350% increase from the previous year. The company's fashionable earplugs, designed to look like jewelry, have gained popularity among concert-goers and are praised for their affordability and style. Loop Earplugs, which aims to revolutionize the perception of earplugs, has achieved profitability since 2020 and is projected to triple its sales this year. The startup plans to invest $26.5 million in research and development to stay ahead of competitors and continue innovating in the hearing protection market.
Pete Lewis from SparkFun has created a set of customized Super Headphones that provide high-quality sound, stereo ambient passthrough, and hearing protection. Unlike off-the-shelf solutions, these headphones allow for adjustable ambient sound mixing and integration of line-level audio or Bluetooth input. Lewis experimented with microphone selection to handle loud ambient sounds without distortion. The headphones are designed for various scenarios, from loud band practice to mowing the lawn, and Lewis is working on improving comfort by using photogrammetry to 3D print custom-fitted components.
Sennheiser's SoundProtex Plus earplugs offer customizable hearing protection for concerts and other loud events. Made of medical-grade TPE, the earplugs come with three sets of cone-shaped ear tips in small, medium, and large sizes, and different acoustic filters that offer varying levels of decibel reduction. While the earplugs do dull high- and low-end frequencies, they don't significantly alter the overall sonic curve. The SoundProtex Plus is more expensive than other earplugs on the market, but its customizable options make it a worthwhile investment for frequent concert-goers.