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Ear protection for people with big heads!

If you have a large head, you might have to shop around for an ear protector that fits you.

Over the head hearing protection can be as simple as a pair of earmuffs or more complicated hearing protection systems that go over your entire head and will amplify softer sounds.

When choosing a larger hearing protection system you want to make sure it will fit you and your ears.

If you want to know more, then keep reading!

Ear Protection for Large Heads

When deciding what type of ear protection to use, there are some things you should keep in mind about how large your head is. So when shopping for ear protection, look for something that will fit snugly without bunching up on top of your head or pulling at the sides of your forehead hair.

Types of Oversized Head Ear Protection

Oversized head ear protectors come in many forms. They can be as simple as earmuffs, which are usually a one-size-fits-all type of product, or more complex over the head devices that fit on your ears. Most companies who make ear protection for people with large heads will offer a variety of products to choose from.

There are also some types of oversized head hearing protection that will not only act as an ear protector but will also help reduce other sound while amplifying softer sounds making them easier to hear.

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How big is a "large" Head?

The average size of a large head does not have a set measurement like the rest of the body does so it is hard to tell if you have a large as opposed to a normal sized head. Usually, if you have any trouble finding standard ear protection that fits comfortably and doesn't feel too tight, chances are you probably do fall into the category of having a larger than average head.

However, if you think you have a big head, then you probably do!

Earplugs For People with large heads

There are 3 types of earplugs for people with large heads to choose from. These are:

  • Earplugs Multiple Sizes included with small, medium and large ear sizes
  • Over The Head Hearing Protection
  • Custom Moldable Earplugs

Earplugs Multiple Sizes included with small, medium and large ear sizes

The multiple size earplugs have small, medium and large ear plugs included. They are usually stored in a carrying case so they don't get lost or dirty each time you remove them from the storage case.

Most earplugs come in one size and are not adjustable, if you have a large head you will most likely need a set of earplugs that are sized and shaped in a way that lets the earplugs fit comfortably without having them bunch up or feel tight.

Over The Head Hearing Protection

These devices cover your entire head. They also offer different levels of sound reduction with the ability to be custom molded to your head size. You can mold these devices over your ears using your hands in what is known as a process called "pinch molding."

These molds can be used for multiple sizes. They are not only great for people who have large heads but also people who have smaller heads and just want hearing protection that fits more snugly.

Custom Moldable Earplugs

There are a few methods that can be used to make custom molds of hearing protection. Some fancy machinery can be used to take an impression of your head and then use a high heat process called "hot press molding" to mold the earplugs just right for your head size.

This expensive process is usually reserved for high-end brands or people who cannot find the correct fitting earplug. The other way of making custom molds is by simply using your hands.

What kind of hearing protection do I need?

Large headed people who are looking for hearing protection should know that there are many options to choose from. Regardless of what type of ear protection you choose, the ones most people find comfortable and most effective are called "custom fit" earplugs.

These products are designed with a mold so that they will fit snugly without the earplugs ending up bunching up or feeling uncomfortable. Custom fit ear plugs come in multiple sizes and styles to ensure that every person has a product that fits their ears comfortably without having it feel too tight or uncomfortable.

Getting The Right Ear Protectors With Large Heads

If you find yourself attending a loud event and decide to wear hearing protection (earplugs or earmuffs), you should always be sure the hearing protection fits properly. If the product is too large, it will pull on your hair or ears, causing discomfort.

Comfort

Comfort is the key to effective, comfortable use of noise-isolating ear protection. To prevent discomfort, choose ear plugs or ear muffs that fit snugly without pressing or pulling on your skin. The goal is to have the product not cause you pain or irritation when you wear it.

If you are purchasing custom molded products, it is usually best to get a professional mold made as opposed to using your own hands for pinch-molding. A professional mold ensures the best possible fit and protection from loud noises or sound pressure levels.

Durability

Durability is a factor in comfort and protection. Cheaper products will not have the durability to withstand the number of uses needed to protect your hearing. If you purchase a small, general-purpose product, it may not be able to block out all background noise, leaving you with hearing loss caused by ear ringing or tinnitus.

Portability

Portability is important should you decide to purchase ear protection for going to concerts, festivals, or anywhere that loud noises are present. Most hearing protection sold today comes in a small easy-to-carry case. It should be easy for you to slip it into a pocket or bag for when you need it.

NNR Rating

NNR Rating indicates the Noise Reduction Rating. It is a unit of comparison for the amount of noise reduction a particular hearing protection device provides. The higher the rating, the more effective the hearing protection is in reducing noise. Hearing protection with an NRR of 22-25 decibels or greater is considered effective at reducing incident sound volume to safe levels.

Fitting

Fitting is a process that allows the earplug to fit comfortably in your ear canal. It also allows the earplug to have an effective seal and reduce sound as much as possible. Fitting is dependent upon the design of the product; some may require an adaptation of old methods, while others use new technologies that better fit your ears.

Getting the right fit for your equipment is important for blocking out background noise and keeping your hearing safe from damage at loud levels.

Size

Size is a factor in comfort, as smaller earplugs tend to be more comfortable. The size of the earplug determines how deep it will go into your ear canal. This determines how well the product will seal. If the seal is weak, it can lead to discomfort or pain in your ears. Smaller products may have a smaller NRR rating than larger products, so keep this in mind when making your purchase decision.

Cost

Cost is a factor in choosing the right hearing protection. You should consider the fact that custom-made earplugs or ear muffs are more expensive than off-the-shelf versions. However, the increased cost is usually worth it as they will fit properly and be comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Hearing Loss Caused By 3 Things For a Large head (Or A small head!)

The three things that can cause hearing loss in people with large heads are loud noise, exposure to noise over a long time, and genetics. We can do anything about your genetics!

Decibel Level * Distance * Time

1) Decibel Level

Decibel Level is a measurement of sound intensity. The scale measures the human hearing threshold for hearing loss. The decibel level that indicates that someone is being exposed to dangerous levels of noise is 85 dB.

The loudness of various sounds can be measured in units called decibels (dB).

2) Distance

Distance from the noisy environment is a factor in how dangerous it is to your hearing. If you live near a loud airport, train station or road, the high level of sound can cause harmful effects to your hearing. This is called "acoustic trauma."

The amount of time you spend in a loud environment has an effect on how much damage it causes. Long-term exposure to noise can cause permanent hearing damage.

3) Time

Time is a factor in how much damage is done to your hearing. The longer you are exposed to loud sounds, the more damage they can cause. If you work in a noisy environment every day for 8 hours, it is important that you wear hearing protection even if it is not required.

Noise-induced hearing loss occurs gradually over time as a person continues to expose themselves to dangerous noise levels. As the years pass, your ears will be exposed to more and more damaging noise.

Conclusion

There are many factors to consider when choosing hearing protection. The number of earplugs or muffs you use, the surrounding loudness, and time spent in a noisy environment all play into how effective your ear protection is at keeping out damaging noise.

If you are in an area with extremely high decibel levels, it may not be the best choice to wear earplugs or earphones for hours at a time. If however, you do choose to wear hearing protection constantly and find yourself being exposed to the same noises over and over again, it may be worth purchasing custom molded products from a professional molding company.

Our Hearing Protectors can help protect your good ears from damage caused by noise exposure.

If you have a large head, there are still 3 types of hearing protection that you can use

Please Note: Just because an ear defender is marked, for example, "Gunshot" - it will still cover other things, like "explosions"

Vibes High-Fidelity Earplugs - Invisible Ear Plugs for Concerts, Musicians, Motorcycles, Airplanes,...
  • Protect Your Ears: Vibes Reusable High Fidelity Earplugs reduce damaging decibel levels to protect your ears in noisy areas without hurting sound quality. We’ve fitted noise-canceling earplugs with the best attenuating filters that lower volumes via filter specific frequencies vs outright noise cancellation. Thus our filtered sound reduction earbuds ensure a clear sound experience
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3M H10A Peltor Optime 105 Over the Head Earmuff, Ear Protectors, Hearing Protection, NRR 30...
  • Noise Reduction Rating of 30dB
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ClearArmor 141001 Shooters Hearing Protection Safety Ear Muffs Folding-Padded Head Band Ear Cups,...
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Decibullz - Custom Molded Earplugs, 31dB Highest NRR, Comfortable Hearing Protection for Shooting,...
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Last update on 2023-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Other Questions

Can my employer require me to wear hearing protection?

Noise-induced hearing loss is completely preventable, however if the sounds you are exposed to exceed 85 decibels, then you could be at risk for hearing loss. In certain industries that have a high volume of loud noises such as construction sites, loud music or concerts and airports, background noise may be a factor in how you hear.

If your employer requires that you wear hearing protection for your job safety and health and expects all employees to wear it then they will need to follow OSHA regulations. Since OSHA requires employers to identify hazards related to noise exposure; they must comply with these standards established by OSHA

When should you wear double hearing protection?

When you are exposed to high noise levels, wearing two pairs of earplugs is recommended. This is done to create a double barrier of protection. This will give you the best level of protection while still allowing you to hear, especially if the noise level is close to 100+ decibels.

If you have a history of tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or if you have experienced hearing loss due to noise exposure, then double protection would be highly recommended.

What are acceptable noise levels?

Maximum acceptable noise levels depend upon the individual and a number of factors. These include physical makeup, lifestyle, age, gender and the type of hearing loss or symptom experienced.

Hearing loss is preventable! You can take preventative measures to protect your hearing.

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nick
Nick Le Page

Experience : Hi, I am Nick, and I have suffered with ear problems my whole life, mainly tinnitus. I have tried a lot of products to help protect my ears over this period, and several devices to block out the constant ringing

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