Remember the saying, "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?" This is really the case with your hearing. Exposure to loud noise and failure to wear hearing protection can make you lose your hearing before you know it.

This loss occurs so gradually, you may not realize it's happening. You may not be aware until it's too late. Physiologically, loud noise severely damages the inner ear. The damaging potential of noise depends on the length of exposure and the sound pressure level.

Although you may have the earplugs in place, are they really “in”? Make sure you’re getting the full protection from your ear plugs by rolling the plug up between your fingers, pulling back your ear and inserting them completely in the ear canal as intended.