Do you have a stash of ear plugs in easy reach at home whenever they’re needed? If not, you or one of your family members may be endangering their hearing by going without protection against potentially harmful noise.

Ear plugs are essential medical supplies to have on hand and should be as readily available as sun block and band-aids.

Today, research has established that much of the hearing loss that occurs in older age is preventable. While it’s true that parts of the ear that are associated with hearing do “wear out” over the course of a lifetime, much of the damage may be preventable. The type of damage that results from exposure to loud noise is referred to as noise induced hearing loss, or NIHL.

When the ears are exposed to loud noises continuously over time, the structure of hair cells crucial to hearing may be damaged. Research has shown that listening at harmful noise levels results in the formation of molecules inside the ears that then cause hair cell damage. Even the force of vibrations from loud noises can damage the ears’ hair cells.

Ear plugs that are specially designed to protect against NIHL should be worn any time a person is around loud noises. Many people are unaware of the types of noises that may be considered hazardous. Lawn tractors, weed-whackers, chain saw and other equipment commonly used around the home in yard work activities can all be potential sources of hearing damage.

Some hobbies and recreational activities involve potentially harmful noise, too. Motorcycles, dirt bikes and ATVs may be loud enough to harm your hearing with continuous exposure. Wood-working tools also tend to be quite loud and could be hazardous to hearing. Even listening to loud music or attending loud live musical performances could contribute to hearing loss over time.

You and your family members will be much more likely to protect your hearing by wearing ear plugs if you always make them available. You can purchase a multi-pack of disposable ear plugs at a reasonable price from an online retailer that specializes in medical supplies.

To make sure you don’t run out of ear plugs, consider signing up for an automatic re-order program with an online medical supplies company. Ear plugs can be shipped to you on a regular basis so you never have to worry about remembering to buy them. You’ll never run out of ear plugs, and protecting your own and your family’s hearing long term will be easy and affordable.