It’s very easy to take your senses for granted. When you wake up in the morning, you probably don’t think about quite how amazing it is that you can see the sun rising and hear the birds tweeting. As you get older, it’s common to experience hearing loss, but this process can be accelerated if you don’t take good care of your ears. It’s not always possible to prevent hearing loss, but using ear protection can help to lower the risk of premature damage. If you’re interested in ear protection, here are three forms to try.

Foam earplugs

Foam earplugs are commonly used to block out noise when you’re trying to get to sleep. Earplugs are designed to make the environment around you quieter, usually so that you can doze off at bedtime or concentrate at the office. Foam earplugs can be used a handful of times. It’s best to avoid using them over and over again, as this can increase the risk of bacteria getting into the ear canal, which could cause infection. If you are using foam earplugs on a regular basis, it’s wise to invest in disposable earplugs or to consider a more permanent solution, such as custom earplugs.

Noise-canceling headphones

Do you struggle to concentrate amid the humdrum in the office? Do you find it hard to switch off and relax when you’re riding the subway after a busy day? Is it hard to sleep with a snorer in the room or noisy neighbors on the block? If you crave peace and tranquility, noise-canceling headphones could represent a good investment. Rather than enabling you to listen to music on the go, these headphones are designed to block out noise. Many people choose to use noise-canceling headphones when they travel, but they can also be a godsend if you live or work in the city.

Custom earplugs

If you have a job that involves being exposed to loud noises, you long for a bit of quiet on your daily commute, or you’re desperate for your bedroom to become a haven of calm, custom earplugs could be just the tonic. Custom earplugs are made for you, and they offer a superior level of protection to off-the-shelf solutions. You should find that your custom earplugs are very comfortable, and they should serve to protect your hearing and to provide you with quiet when you’re contending with noise. If you’re worried about the impact of your job on your hearing or you struggle to sleep, ask your audiologist about custom earplugs.

Many of us never really think about hearing loss until we start to notice that it’s that little bit harder to follow conversations or we begin to turn up the volume on the radio or the TV. Hearing loss is not always preventable, but it is beneficial to protect your hearing, especially in this day and age when it’s difficult to find peace and quiet. If you are subjected to noise at work, or you commute in the city, it’s worth taking steps to try and preserve your hearing for as long as possible. If you’re concerned about the impact of noise, don’t hesitate to consult your audiologist.