Most of us take our hearing for granted, but the fact of the matter is, our hearing is always at risk in the modern world. Whether we’re working on a noisy building site, spending our weekends shooting at the range or listening to our favorite tunes with our earphones turned up to 11, just living our lives can be damaging to our ears.
The good news is, in the modern world, there is also tons of tech available that can help us to protect our hearing and mitigate the risks, too. Let’s then take a look at some of the best hearing protective tech available, so we can take hearing health more seriously.
Smart Electronic Hearing Protection
Traditional forms of hearing protection like earplugs and earmuffs are great at blocking out sound, but the problem is they block out the harmful sounds you don’t want to hear, and the benign sounds that you do want and need to hear too. Luckily, modern smart electronic forms of hearing protection have been created, and they can block out the bad without also blocking the good. They do this by this by using built-in microphones and circuitry that amplify safe sounds while instantly dampening harmful noise levels.
This type of gear is especially popular with shooters, tactical users, and industrial workers who need both protection and situational awareness. Modern models offer fast reaction times, adjustable volume levels, and even directional audio, giving you a more natural listening experience while staying safe.
Bluetooth-Enabled Earmuffs
Why would you choose between hearing protection nd communication, when in the modern world, you really don’t have to?
Bluetooth earmuffs have been a thing for a while now, and they enable you to stay connected without removing your gear. Whether you’re someone who has to take calls for your job, someone who likes to stream music while you do other things, or someone who needs to be able to communicate with your team at all times, Bluetooth-enabled earmuffs will allow you to do that and more while also shielding your ears from harmful sounds. So, they are ideal for people who work construction, in warehouses or who like to do noisy DIY at home while being able to listen to music too, for example.
Upgradable and Modular Systems
A growing trend in hearing protection technology is modularity – gear that can be customized or upgraded to fit your specific needs. For example, some users switch between different communication systems or prefer one brand’s comfort with another brand’s audio quality.
This is where niche upgrades like the MSA Sordin conversion kit for Peltor Comtac come in handy. These kits let you enjoy the rugged build or preferred features of one headset while using the ear cups or electronics of another, giving you a more personalized, comfortable, and effective hearing-protection setup. It’s a small detail, but it shows how users now have more control over their gear than ever before.
Noise-Tracking Apps and Smart Monitors
Not all hearing protection is worn on your head. Some tech solutions help you measure your exposure. Smartphone apps and wearable noise monitors can track decibel levels in real time and warn you when you’re approaching unsafe limits. This is especially useful for DIYers, musicians, event staff, and anyone who moves between noisy and quiet environments throughout the day.
Your hearing matters, so let tech take better care of it!