It's important to protect your hearing when you're operating heavy equipment, saws, drills or other loud machinery. Construction Fasteners and Tools offers a variety of protective earmuffs, including cap-mounted earmuffs, from top safety brands like North Safety, Peltor and 3M.
According to the Canadian Union of Public Employees, excessive noise levels are a leading cause of occupational-related hearing loss. This statistic is supported by the Hearing Foundation of Canada, which found that noise was the number one reason for impaired hearing. The good news is that NIHL — or noise-induced hearing loss — is for the most part preventable. With appropriate prevention measures, including hearing protection earmuffs, the potential damage to workers’ hearing due to loud workplace noises can, for the most part, be offset.
However, the national statistical office — Statistics Canada — found that 54 percent of men and 49 percent of women who work in noisy environments reported experiencing tinnitus, which is a persistent perception of buzzing or ringing in the ears. This pattern means that Canadians whose work leaves them regularly exposed to high levels of noise — by some estimates as much as 14 percent of the population — could be doing more to protect their hearing.
As you may be aware, sound is the release of energy, or pressure, in the air. This energy moves as a wave. When sounds enter the ear canal, the waves create vibrations over the sensitive membranes and bones that make up the eardrum. When they’re exposed to loud noises over extended periods of time, the tens of thousands of receptors that make up the inner ear canal can become damaged — either temporarily or permanently.
To understand noise levels and their impact on hearing, it’s helpful to know that a typical conversation registers at around 60 decibels. Hearing loss can occur after an eight-hour exposure to noise levels averaging 85 decibels or greater. As noise levels increase, damage to hearing can occur more quickly. Some typical construction site noises and their noise levels follow:
In all of the above scenarios, if you don’t have proper hearing protection, NIHL can occur — sometimes in a matter of minutes.
Fortunately, Construction Fasteners and Tools takes protecting your hearing seriously. That’s why we offer over-the-head earmuffs, behind-the-head earmuffs and hard hat attached ear muffs. Our lineup of low-profile, comfortable earmuffs is CSA — or Canadian Standards Association — approved to provide hearing protection from machinery and other excessive workplace noises.
Our over-the-head and cap-mounted earmuffs are constructed out of the best sound-attenuating material with comfortable foam ear cushions. Plus, our inventory of high-quality earmuffs from leading manufacturers includes models made by 3M, Peltor, Dynamic Safety, North Safety and MSA.
At Construction Fasteners and Tools, we make getting jobsite safety equipment as easy as going online. From wherever you access the internet, you can now get ear, eye and overall body protection — like fall arrest and high-visibility gear — for an affordable price and with outstanding customer service. In addition, shipping is free on all orders over $99, and we have a no-hassle, 30-day return policy.
Need more info on ear protection or other pieces of safety equipment? Feel free to contact us now. One of our friendly customer service representatives will be in touch with informed answers to all your questions.