Hearing Protection
Music Focused
From custom in-ear monitors for musicians to filtered ear plugs for concert-going fans, Waterloo offers multiple custom options for your protection that also offer great environmental awareness. This allows you to confidently know you are protecting and preventing from hearing loss or increased tinnitus.
We have partnered with both Ultimate Ears and Westone Audio to assure you have the highest quality products in the industry.
Waterloo Audiology is the proud official hearing healthcare partners for the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians and support their member musicians by providing HEAR Clinics to screen, educate and protect our Austin-area working musicians. See below for some cool videos of a HEAR clinic in action!
Hunting Focused
Hunters understand the importance of hearing the soft sounds of nature while also the need to protect their hearing to reduce hearing loss and tinnitus. Your SoundGear custom electronic shooting plugs will give you the advantage you have been looking for in enhanced protection and also give you and edge with your hunting buddies.
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Recreation/Occupation Focused
Custom earplugs can be made for use in industrial settings or for every day noisy tasks such as mowing the lawn or working around power tools. There are even custom plugs for use while sleeping if noise exposure at night keeps you awake! No matter what the noise, prolonged exposure will cause hearing damage, but custom protection can keep this damage from taking a toll on your ears.
Schedule your AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to use hearing protection?
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the only type of hearing loss that is completely preventable with the use of appropriate hearing protection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 12.5% of children and adolescents aged 6-19 years and 17% of adults aged 20-69 years have suffered permanent damage to their hearing from excessive noise exposure.
When should I use hearing protection?
Hearing protection should be used any time you are participating in a high-noise recreational activity or job. These include: hunting, attending concerts, working in the music industry, participating in motor sports, doing construction, etc. Noise-induced hearing loss can occur from exposure to noise over time, as well as exposure to one intensely loud, brief event. The louder the sound, the less time it takes to cause damage. If you experience ringing in your ears or temporary hearing loss in your ears after a high noise event, the environment was too loud and could cause damage.
How is custom hearing protection different from non-custom hearing protection?
Custom hearing protection devices are created after clinicians take an impression of the ear. This will provide the best and most comfortable fit inside the ear, which will eliminate the ear pain and/or soreness that can occur with non-custom products. Custom hearing protection also provides a tight seal in the ear that prevents damaging high-level noises from leaking into the ear.
How do I properly insert my hearing protection devices?
Some hearing protection devices are marked red (right) and blue (left). If they are not marked, they are not side specific.
For custom products: Slide the thinner side into your ear canal and twist the plug until it fits comfortably in the ear. Pull up from the top of the ear, to straighten the ear canal, as you push the ear mold into the ear.
For non-custom products: Slide the thinner side into your ear canal and pull up from the top of the ear, to straighten the ear canal, as you push the ear plug into the ear. If you are using a foam plug, tightly squeeze and roll it before putting in the ear canal.
Brands We Work With
