You can lead a horse to water…

Warning labels are everywhere. There is practically nothing you can purchase that does one have some kind of warning label on it. From cigarettes that can cause lung disease or cancer to hair dryers that warn not get the device wet unless you want to be electrocuted. We see these labels all the time and we make the choice to use the products or not.

There has long been speculation that personal music devices like MP3 player and iPods already has and will continue to contribute to noise induced hearing loss. Just like smoking a cigarettes every day can lead to serious health problems, listening to loud music for long periods of time can contribute to a hearing loss. Almost all personal listening devices sold today have a warning label informing the user that continued exposure over time can damage their hearing and includes education on safe listening habits.

Recently, the US Court of Appeals upheld a 2008 ruling that Apple is not responsible for the hearing loss the 2 plaintiffs suffered from listening to their iPods too loud because Apple warns users of the hazards of listening to music too loud. Everyday, thousands of people are choosing to listen to their music much too loud despite receiving warnings when they purchased their personal listening devices.

We are exposed to loud sounds everyday when we mow the lawn, go to concerts, shoot firearms, vacuum, and set off fireworks without proper hearing protection. Many times, people are too young to care about the hearing education materials included with iPods and MP3 players and by the time hearing becomes an issue; the damage has already been done. People are going to choose to do what they want to no matter how many warnings they get and they must be prepared to deal with the consequences of those choices.

Only YOU can protect your hearing

Everyday we are bombarded with loud sounds. Have you ever left a concert and experienced that high-pitched ringing in your ears? You’ve also probably been at the drug store, seen those foam earplugs and made a mental note to get some before your next concert. Normally people are painfully aware when sounds are too loud. What they may not be aware of is just how damaging those loud sounds can be to their hearing or that custom hearing protection is available and very easy to use.

Drug store foam earplugs are made for the masses. They are a one-size-fits-most quick solution to blocking loud sounds by acting like a plug in the ear. Coming from someone who looks in ears all day long, I can tell you that no two ear canals are the same. Some are wide while others are narrow. Some have deep curves and some are pretty straight. Each canal also has a different depth. Although drug store foam plugs are better than nothing, they just don’t always do the trick. Have you ever tried these foam plugs only to have them fall out of your ears within a short amount of time? Even when they are squeezed down to a thin layer of foam, shoved into the canal and held in place to allow the plug to expand, they can easily work their way out of the ear with jaw movement. Other people may experience soreness in their ears due to inappropriate sizes of plugs.

If you have tried the foam plugs and they seem to work, continue to wear them whenever you are exposed to loud sounds. Like I stated before: any protection is better then no protection at all. For the majority of people who cannot use the foam earplugs, there is a solution: custom hearing protection. Custom hearing protection is made specifically for your ears. They are easy to insert and remove, require minimal care and do not fall out of your ears with jaw movement.

There is custom hearing protection for virtually all situations. Here is a quick description of the most common types of hearing protection:

Concert Plugs- Great for musicians and music lovers. These custom plugs allow the wearer to hear accurately in high noise environments. It takes all sounds and reduces them evenly across the frequency spectrum, so you get to hear everything- just at a quieter and safer level.

Sleeping Plugs- Snore plugs are ideal for those who are often kept awake by a partner’s snoring. They are also great for light sleepers. The comfortable material is designed to promote a full night’s rest without pesky interruptions.

Hunting Plugs- These plugs are designed to allow normal sounds to come through and be heard most of the time. The magic happens in a valve designed to shut and block harmful sounds such as gunshots and other sudden noises from damaging your hearing.


Maximum Plugs- Sometimes you need to block almost everything out. These plugs are made to essentially reduce all sounds and plug up your ears.

iPod/ MP3/Bluetooth Plugs- Ever have to take out your ear buds because they are hurting your ears? Custom molds for your personal listening and Bluetooth devices will resolve that problem. The custom fit ensures comfort and allows these devices to be operated at a lower volume.

Swim Plugs- Swim plugs are great for keeping moisture from accumulating in your ear canals, especially if you or your kids are prone to ear infections. These plugs are brightly colored, easy to put in/take out and they even float!. They can also double as effective sound plugs.

Ordering your custom hearing protection only takes 2 office appointments. In the first appointment we will decide what custom plug is right for your needs and take an impression of your ears. The next time you come into the office your custom hearing protection will be waiting for you. We make sure the plugs fit properly and are comfortable. We also tell you how to take care of your custom hearing protection. It’s that simple to get your custom hearing protection!

For more information and to make your appointment, please contact us at our Longmont or Boulder offices:

Longmont 303.776.8748 Boulder 303.499.3900

We look forward to meeting with you soon.

Do as I say and not as I do?

When someone is doing something that they know is wrong, they usually utter, “do as I say and not as I do” to whomever they are trying to justify their behavior to. A recent study conducted by Hear the Word, an organization created to raise awareness of hearing-related issues globally, found that hearing aids were coupled with “old age” more than any other accessory included in the survey. These other accessories were wheelchairs, glasses, crutches and canes for the blind.

Interestingly, 93% of people surveyed claimed they would wear a hearing aid if needed, however, previous research shows that people who have a hearing loss do not wearing hearing aids. The survey also found that one of the top three reasons for not wearing hearing aids is the person does not want to admit having a hearing loss.

With all of the amazing advancements in hearing aid technology, hearing aids are smaller and better then ever before. But the stigma that hearing aids are for “old people” is keeping many of the 700 million people worldwide living with hearing loss form getting the help they need. It has been proven over and over again that when hearing loss is left untreated, it can lead to feelings of frustration and isolation, reduced earning power and disruptions in family life among other things.

So essentially, this study is shows how the mentality of hearing aids being for “old people” is hurting the quality of life for people with hearing loss.