Hearing Protection in Sheffield & Barnsley
We offer a full range of hearing protection products from our Sheffield and Barnsley clinics, including both instant fit and custom-made options. We are approved suppliers of the latest Phonak Serenity Choice instant fit product range, which offers hearing protection and comfort for almost all applications, including hearing protection for:
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Musicians
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Hunting & shooting
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Motorsports
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Work
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Flying
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Swimming
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Sleep
Our Hearing Protection Options
At the Hearing Excellence Clinic, we provide only the best hearing protection options available for your needs, get in touch today for helpful advice on what the best choice is for you. No matter what you need your hearing protection for, we’ll have the right option for you.
Custom Hearing Protection in Sheffield & Barnsley
The Phonak Serenity Choice Plus custom range offers a tailor-made hearing protection solution for most situations. These products are individually made to each client's ear to offer the very best in comfort and hearing protection.
We are also able to verify the fitting of each product through an acoustic leakage test to ensure the correct attenuation performance of the fitted custom earpiece.
Please note that all of these products are custom made to each individual client's ear and require custom impressions taken in the clinic prior to ordering. Book your custom ear impression using the buttons below.
Why Do You Need Custom Hearing Protection?
While instant fit hearing protection options are perfect for many cases, such as someone who only swims once in a while, those that put their ears at risk for work or a more regular hobby might want custom hearing protection.
Custom protection is more effective because the ear plugs are perfectly moulded to your ears, ensuring that there are no gaps and spaces for noise to pass through. Because they fit perfectly into your ear and don’t need to be moved around often or forced in, they also generally last longer - potentially saving you money in the long run.
Overall, custom hearing protection is more comfortable, easier to use, and offers more protection than instant fit options.
Hearing Protection Consultations in Sheffield & Barnsley
At the Hearing Excellence Clinic, we don’t use healthcare assistants to perform any of our fittings or consultations, all of our appointments are carried out by our Audiology Clinic Director Mr Paul Jackson, or our Senior Hearing Care Assistant Miss Chloe Coopland. That’s why we can provide you with the best advice on hearing protection in Sheffield & Barnsley.
Visit our hearing tests or ear wax removal pages for more information on our services, or get in touch with us for expert advice on the best option for your hearing.
Hearing Protection FAQs
1. What Does SNR and NRR Mean in Hearing Protection?
Noise Reduction Rate (NRR) and Single Number Rating (SNR) are both scales that are used to measure the amount of sound protection that a device provides when worn in the intended way. NRR is generally used in the US while SNR is used within the EU.
The value that is provided represents how many decibels the device will lower sounds by. Meaning that a hearing protection device with an SNR of 25 will make a 40dB noise sound 15dB.
2. Are Earmuffs Better Than Earplugs?
While ear muffs are easier to fit and some people may find them more comfortable, earplugs offer more protection from loud noises. This is because earplugs sit directly in the ear canal instead of over the ears, and can be custom made to perfectly block your ear.
Those with glasses can also find earmuffs uncomfortable, and it can affect the amount of protection that they will provide.
3. What Earplugs Do Audiologists Recommend?
Custom made earplugs will always be the best option for hearing protection. This is because they mould perfectly to your ear canal and ensure that no sound can get in around them. Because they fit so well, they’re also generally the most comfortable and easiest to use earplugs, and they last longer as a result!
4. How Does Hearing Protection Work​?
Hearing protection works by reducing the intensity of sound that reaches the eardrum. These wearable devices help to protect against noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus. Hearing protection is especially important for those who are regularly exposed to loud noises, such as those who work with loud machinery.
5. How Many Types of Hearing Protection Are There?
There are two main types of hearing protection: earplugs and earmuffs. Here’s a brief overview of these two types:
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Earmuffs. These are made from sound-attenuating materials and soft ear cushions that block out loud sounds. They completely cover the outer ear and can be quite effective at muffling noises.
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Earplugs. This is the most popular type of hearing protection. Unlike earmuffs, earplugs are designed to fit into your ear canal, so they offer better noise reduction. There are several types of earplugs:
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Disposable foam earplugs. These are made from a moldable foam material that’s designed to expand to the shape of the user’s ear canal.
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Instant-fit reusable earplugs. These are made from foam, soft plastic or rubber and can be re-worn.
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Custom earplugs. These are custom-made to the wearer’s ear canal and offer the highest level of comfort and hearing protection.
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6. How to Choose Hearing Protection?
When it comes to choosing hearing protection, you should consider how often you’re exposed to loud noise and how loud the noise is. Louder sounds will require a higher noise reduction rating (NRR). If you’re frequently exposed to loud noises and will be wearing hearing protection regularly, you should consider custom hearing protection, which offers a superior fit.
You can use our Hearing Protection Calculator to find out the most suitable type of hearing protection based on your activity and frequency of exposure.
7. When Should Hearing Protection Be Worn?
You should always wear hearing protection when you’re in a loud environment or taking part in a noisy activity, including:
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At work, including operating machinery or carrying out DIY tasks.
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Attending concerts or festivals
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Hunting and shooting
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Motorsports
Hearing protection should be worn when noise levels reach or exceed 85 decibels (dB).
8. What Is the Rating System for Hearing Protection Devices Called​?
The rating system for hearing protection devices is called the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). The higher the NRR, the more sound is blocked and prevented from entering your eardrum. It correlates to the amount of noise the device can reduce in decibels (dB).
Book An Appointment Online
Our Appointments
Book an appointment at our Sheffield or Barnsley clinics to come in and see us! Both of our clinics offer ear wax removal, hearing protection fittings, and hearing aid consultation.
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Book online now using our booking form!
Disabled Access Appointments:
The clinic rooms at both the Sheffield clinic and Barnsley clinic are based on the first floor up a flight of stairs so are not suitable for those with disabilities. We can accommodate those with disabilities but you will need to call us on 0114 4701213 (Sheffield) or 01226 899005 (Barnsley) to organise a downstairs appointment.
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Free parking:
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There is also free parking available at both clinics.
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For Sheffield, we have a large car park located in front of the premises which is accessed off the Wilkinson Street entrance and we have a smaller car park at the rear of the premises that is accessed off Wilkinson Lane.
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For Barnsley, we have a large car park located to the side of the premises which is accessed off Day Street.