Ear plugs: The Gift That Keeps On Giving

By Kristi Ries

When people think about safety on the job, they usually picture hard hats, goggles, rugged steel toe boots, and tough gloves that can stand up against the elements and debris. There are so many occupational hazards to consider in modern society. Yet few realize that the seemingly comprehensive list above fails to include a key component for personal safety: ear plugs.

Though often overlooked, ear plugs should be worn by everyone who works in a loud environment. This could be anyone—from musicians to construction workers—who regularly is exposed to high decibel levels. That jackhammer or pounding bass drum won’t just give you a powerful headache; these loud noises can rob you of your hearing at a young age. Noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) are on the rise in the United States. It’s due to exposure to either a sudden, loud noise or exposure to loud noises for a prolonged period of time. And it’s no surprise, considering that many Americans are working hard every day near loud machinery.

Twenty-five percent of roughly 40 million Americans suffer from this type of hearing loss. A dangerous sound is classified as anything that is 85 decibels or louder. For example, tractors, gas mowers, chainsaws and jackhammers are all well above this dangerous threshold. Naturally, the amount of time a person listens to a sound dictates the damage that will be done—which puts those who work in construction from 9 to 5 in a very precarious position. Why not protect all of you, all the time by wearing ear plugs on site?

No one wants to miss out on the soft giggles of their grandkids, or the sound of the summer breeze blowing through the trees. Pick up some ear plugs from ConstructionGear.com, and give yourself a gift you’ll enjoy for a lifetime—the guarantee of good hearing for years to come!