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How Does Hearing Work?
Humans hear via highly specialized cells in the ear called hair cells. When sound enters the ear, the eardrum transmits it through the three middle ear bones-the malleus, the incus and the stapes-to the cochlea of the inner ear. The cochlea is filled with fluid and conducts vibrations into the basilar membrane, which covers the cochlea and is lined with hair cells called cilia. The hair cells transform the vibrations into electrical signals (neural signals). These signals are passed on to the auditory nerve, and conducted to the brain where they are interpreted.
All the elements of the hearing mechanism are delicate, but hair cells are especially fragile. No new hair cells are made after a child is born - the approximate 30,000 hair cells that are created in vitro are the only ones a person will ever have. Loud noises can destroy these hair cells permanently and cause damage to the nerve of hearing.
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I'm young, I don't need to pay attention to Hearing Loss!
Once hazardous noise does its damage, it's too late to save your hearing. Damaged cells in the inner ear cannot grow back. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) can occur in noise of 85 dB, less than a ride on the subway (100dB) or an auto racing event (125 dB). If you think you are exposed to hazardous noise at work, talk to your Health and Safety officer, your employer or your union rep, and get your hearing checked. The World Health Organization ranks NIHL as the number one hidden disability in North America. You could be among the more than 30 million people at risk.
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What is a Decibel?
The decibel (abbreviated dB) is the unit used to measure the intensity of a sound
On the decibel scale, the smallest audible sound (near total silence) is 0 dB. A sound 10 times more powerful is 10 dB. A sound 100 times more powerful than near total silence is 20 dB. A sound 1,000 times more powerful than near total silence is 30 dB. Here are some common sounds and their decibel ratings:
- Total silence - 0 dB
- A whisper - 15 dB
- Normal conversation - 60 dB
- A lawnmower - 90 dB
- A rock concert or a jet engine - 105 dB
- A car horn - 110 dB
- A gunshot or firecracker - 140 dB
Any sound above 85 dB can cause hearing loss, and the loss is related both to the power of the sound as well as the length of exposure. You know that you are listening to an 85-dB sound if you have to raise your voice to be heard by somebody else. Eight hours of 90-dB sound can cause damage to your ears; any exposure to 140-dB sound causes immediate damage (and causes actual pain). Sound levels double every 3 decibles therefore - 93 decibels is twice as loud as 90 dB.
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How about exposure time. Does this affect my hearing?
Certainly! High volumes and lengthy exposure times can be a dangerous combination-resulting in instant hearing loss.
DECIBEL EXPOSURE GUIDELINES
| 85 dB |
8 hours |
| 88 dB | 4 hours |
| 91 dB | 2 hours |
| 94 dB | 1 hour |
| 97 dB | 30 minutes |
| 100 dB | 15 minutes |
| 103 dB | 7.5 minutes | Attention People: this is the average noise level at night clubs |
| 106 dB | less than 4 minutes |
| 109 dB | less than 2 minutes |
| 112 dB | less than 1 minute |
| 115 dB | less than 30 seconds |
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Isn't the SonoCustomTM just another earplug?
Sonomax's flagship hearing protection device– the SonoCustomTM, are custom-fitted on the spot to create a perfect acoustic seal that prevents hazardous noise from leaking in. What's more, our proprietary software the SonoPassTM, drives the fitting process and verifies that noise reduction has been achieved. It only takes minutes to fit someone with comfortable hearing protection devices (HPDs) and prove that they work as promised in the environment for which they have been designed.
Click here for a demo
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Sounds expensive. What does Sonomax hearing protection actually cost?
The SonoCustomTM is priced to be very competitive with other types of hearing protection. With a recommended life span of three years, they cost about $40/year.
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How can you stop some noise, but still let some sounds through?
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How do you know if Sonomax's SonoCustom actually work?
SonoPassTM, our proprietary Windows-based software, drives the fitting process and provides immediate proof of functionality. This is achieved by generating a quantified pink noise sweep (representative of all frequencies from 63HZ to 8000HZ) into the ear while the Sonomax HPDs are being worn and measuring the amount of sound actually getting through to the ear on the other side. A specially designed microphone and testing chamber built into the SonoCustomTM make this objective calculation of noise reduction possible.
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How long does it take to get them?
It literally takes a few minutes to fit someone with Sonomax hearing protectors and verify that they are doing the job.
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What is the best way to keep them clean?
The SonoCustomTM is very easy to maintain, simply use mild soap and water.
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Who are Sonomax approved staff?
To ensure quality and consistency, every function within the sales, training and implementation of the Sonomax SolutionTM has been documented and is taught in professional courses administered by Sonomax "University."
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I am not an industrial worker, how can the SonoCustomTM work for me?
The SonoCustomTM is great for protecting your ears from high decibel and toxic noise. Toxic noise is everywhere from heavy traffic, the subway, a sporting event,-even your hairdryer can prove toxic at 90 (dB).Additionally; Sonomax makes an entire line of hearing protection products for different industries and lifestyles.
Please See Sonomax Products
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Where can I purchase the SonoCustomTM for myself?
The SonoCustom are currently on sale at all of our HearAtlast locations across Canada and through our North American licensee Aearo and our team of international licensees. Additionaly, we are working on a number of exciting retail concepts that will have the Sonomax Custom Ear kiosks popping up at music retailers and sports arena's in the near future.
If you are in the Montreal area and would like to get fit with our SonoCustom'sTM we can arrange a special VIP fitting session just for you!
For Fittings: fittings@sonomax.com
For General Information: info@sonomax.com

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