Do you love listening to live music? Plan on catching your favorite artist at a music festival this summer? If so, don’t forget to pack your sunglasses, sunscreen, and earplugs! You heard me. Wearing a good set of earplugs should be a part of your summer music routine.

Most of us have experienced ringing in our ears after attending a concert, being part of a cheering crowd or mowing the lawn. That ringing sensation, or tinnitus, is an indication of dangerous levels of noise exposure, which may lead to noise-induced hearing loss.

Hearing damage can occur when decibel levels exceed 85db, and the average decibel level for a live music show is between 100 and 140db. When music is this loud, hearing damage can occur within minutes!

Luckily for music lovers, we don’t have to compromise sound quality for protection.There are earplugs specifically designed for musicians and concertgoers. These products don’t muffle the sound but preserve the frequency range while lowering the overall volume.

FLUXX Audio, a division of Microsonic Inc., offers music fans two options for high-fidelity hearing protection.

First are their GoodFit products. These earplugs come in three sizes and use a proprietary tuned resonator and acoustic resistor to replicate the natural response of the ear canal. Sound is reproduced unchanged, as the ear would hear it, only quieter.

Second are their CustomFit products. This type of hearing protection is specifically designed for musicians and music lovers. These require you to send FLUXX your ear impressions so that they can create your very own custom-fitted earplugs. They use professional-grade materials that reduce sound levels without compromising the quality of sound (no-muffling) … and they have interchangeable filters for reductions of 9, 15 or 25 decibels. Plus, you can customize these plugs even further by choosing from a variety of colors, swirls, sparkles, and custom engravings.

This summer, you don’t have to avoid live music events or settle for muffled listening experiences. Just remember to wear quality earplugs while you enjoy the louder side of life.

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• The Microsonic Blog includes posts about custom earmold manufacturing and the hearing health industry.