What Is the Best Hearing Protection Device for Recreational Noise Exposure?

Recreational noise exposure is a significant and preventable cause of noise-induced hearing loss, making effective hearing protection increasingly important. This best practice compares commonly available hearing protection devices-including foam earplugs, silicone earplugs, custom-molded earplugs, and earmuffs-through the evaluation of noise attenuation, comfort, cost, and real-world performance....

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Audiologists counseling patients on recreational noise exposure can reference this best-practice review to guide device selection recommendations, though specific device rankings should be verified against the full paper before changing counseling protocols.

Recreational noise exposure is one of the most preventable causes of noise-induced hearing loss, and clear, evidence-based device guidance can directly improve public hearing health outcomes.

1. 01Best-practice review published in Laryngoscope compares HPDs for recreational noise settings.
2. 02Recreational noise (concerts, hunting, motorsports) is a significant and preventable cause of NIHL.
3. 03Review covers commonly available, consumer-accessible hearing protection devices.
4. 04Findings could inform audiologist counseling and patient education on hearing conservation.
5. 05Addresses a gap in clinical guidance for non-occupational noise exposure contexts.

PMID

42988779

DOI

10.1002/lary.71035.

Journal

The Laryngoscope

Publication type

review

Evidence level

5

Population

General population engaged in recreational noise-exposing activities (e.g., hunting, concerts, motorsports)

Intervention

Comparison of commonly available hearing protection devices (earplugs, earmuffs, etc.) for recreational noise exposure

Comparator

Multiple hearing protection device types compared against each other